Flying the Flag

Despite what some cranks, politicians (was that redundant?), or home owner associations claim, flying your country’s flag is a privilege and honor.  If you’re home in your country, I think you should feel good about flying your flag.  If you’re not, then you need to consider making changes.

As an American, I’m happy to fly my flag, especially on what are called flag display days.  But what days are those?  Well, thanks to the people at the VFW I’ve got a list to share with you.

• New Year’s Day                                Jan 1
• MLK Day                                          3^rd Monday in Jan
• Lincoln’s Birthday                             Feb 12
• Washington’s (President s’ Day)       3^rd Monday in Feb
• Easter                                                 Variable
• Mother’s Day                                     2^nd Sunday in May
• Peace Officer’s Memorial Day (half staff)         May 15
• Armed Forces Day                            3^rd Saturday in May
• Memorial Day (half staff till noon)   last Monday in May
• Flay Day                                            June 14
• Independence Day                             July 4
• Labor Day                                         1^st Monday in Sept
• Patriot Day (half Staff)                      Sept 11
• POW/MIA Recognition Day            3^rd Friday in September
• Constitutional/Citizen Day                Sept 17
• Columbus Day                                   2^nd Monday in Oct
• Navy Day                                           Oct 27
• Veterans Day                                     Nov 11
• Thanksgiving Day                             4^th Thursday in No
• Pearl Harbor Remembrance (half-staff) Day   Dec 7
• Christmas Day                                   Dec 25

And any other day proclaimed by the President of the United States, birthday of states and state holidays.

Who knew there were so many?  I’m sure you’re wondering why other holidays aren’t listed.  I don’t know. 

You may also wonder why at least two Christian holidays are listed and no other faiths.

For that I have a partial answer, but it’s not popular and it’s been reinterpreted over the years.  America was founded as a Christian nation with no national religion.  In some countries to be part of the civil administration or ruling group, you have to be a specific religion, hence the Church of England and what we see in many mid-eastern counties.  

American was founded as a Christian nation with complete tolerance to other religions.  That separation of church and state was later interpreted to mean the government could not recognize the existence of religion.  

This transformation is not complete, as Christmas mangers and replications of the 10 Commandments are banned from schools, court houses and public libraries but Congress has a chaplain and opens their session with a prayer.  We swear our presidents in with a Bible and require an oath on a Bible in court to tell the truth.  I’m sure there are other examples.

Flying the flag isn’t difficult.  I wouldn’t worry about all the rules, just show it respect and bring it in from the rain and darkness and you’ve accomplished much.