Flag Day and Happy Birthday Day to Me!

Flag Day Facts

A little known fact about Flag Day happened on June 14, 1944. On that day in a White Plains, New York hospital, I was born. The first child of Jerry and Antoinette Dunlevy, I was born weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces at 6:14 am. These facts are special only to my family and me.

The more important facts about Flag Day begin when the Second Continental Congress acting on a resolution adopted the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United of America.

It is difficult in this busy world to celebrate another event. The flag represents patriotism and pride in our country. As another day in June sandwiched between Memorial Day, Father's Day and the Fourth of July, June 14th has never been celebrated as a great national holiday. But on June 14th, many families, businesses and communities fly the flag in honor.

All Americans are urged to fly the American Flag during the week of June 14th. Some communities hold parades but many more decorate the town with the Stars and Stripes.

When Americans recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem, the flag is honored in a special way and more often remembered than it would be on one huge holiday.

When I turned 6 years-old in 1950, I was visiting my grandmother in West Palm Beach, Florida. The town had a picnic and fireworks to honor Flag Day. My grandmother took me around and told everyone the party was for my birthday also.

In the fifth grade the teacher asked, "Who knows what happens on June 14th?" No one raised their hand which was simply too puzzling to me. I of course finally raised my hand and was called upon and replied, "June 14th is Flag Day." The teacher then asked me how I knew that and I informed her that it was also my birthday.

I have often wondered how it would be to share a birthday with a huge holiday. I have always felt special having June 14th as a birthday.

I almost always fly the flag at my house. I currently have a flagpole as a gift from my children for my 60th birthday. At least once a year, I purchase a new flag for the pole.

My dad a Marine died December 11, 2007 and the American Flag draped his coffin. I feel a special pride when I see the Stars and Stripes on a solders coffin. My mother took Dad's folded America Flag and put it in the flag box. She has only one son so my brother has the flag at his home.

Any American can request one of the American Flags that fly over the United States Capitol. A request to your House or Senate Member will start the process. The site: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/se nators_cfm.cfm obtains the U.S. Senators. http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtm l for representatives.

Happy Birthday American Flag.