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The Focus
by Dennis Wheeler
Growing up in the beautiful Ohio River town of Ironton, Ohio...I vividly remember gathering on lawn of the County courthouse square for our annual Flag Day Celebrations. The Veterans would be in attendance wearing their military hats proudly...the high school band would play "God Bless America"...we would place our hand across our heart and recite the Pledge to the flag boldly. Precious memories!!
History teIls us that on June 14,1777, the Continental Congress approved the design of a national flag. "Resolved, that the Flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation."
According to legend, George Washington commissioned Philadelphia seamstress Betsy Ross to create a flag for the new nation.
In 1885 Mr. B. J. Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in Fredonia, Wisconsin to observe June 14 as "Flag Birthday". During the next several years Mr. Cigrand used numerous magazines, newspaper articles and public addresses to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as "Flag Birthday" or "Flag Day". He promoted that programs be held on June 14 to encourage children to learn more about their country and patriotism and that each child be given a small American flag.
School systems in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York and Illinois began to observe June 14 as "Flag Day". In fact, in 1894, the governor of New York directed that on June 14 the American flag be displayed on all public buildings.
Inspired by three decades of state and local celebrations, "Flag Day" was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30,1916. However, it was not until August 3,1949, that President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
Since the time that Betsy Ross created the first national flag...there have been twenty-seven versions. The current version dates to July 4,1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state.
Folks...have we forgotten to love & appreciate this great nation and to praise our Lord for the privilege of living here??
I fear that too many of us focus on what's wrong with America instead of what's RIGHT with America. We complain about gas prices...we gripe about our President...we worry about the inflation...we fret about the increase of crime...and the list goes on & on.
But think about this...
We can choose where we want to live!
We have freedom like no other nation enjoys!
We enjoy the privilege of voting!
We are blessed with incredible educational opportunities!
We worship our God without fear of persecution!
We have a nation that is overflowing with beauty and natural resources!
We enjoy incredible coastlines...beautiful rivers...spectacular mountain ranges...wide open plains!
This coming Wednesday, June 14 . . . purchase an American flag and display it proudly at your home or your place of business and with pride & appreciation recite these words..."I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation, UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"
Indeed...may God bless America!!
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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