You're A Grand Ol' Flag

Did you know that Flag Day has been around since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14th as a celebration? In August 1949, an Act of Congress established National Flag Day. 

I love the American flag. Just looking at it evokes all kinds of sentimental thoughts and feelings for me. I even had a Flag Day bridal shower.  You can read about that here.  Since then, my flag devotion hasn't waned.  I even used it as a central theme for decorating my son's bedroom.  He's a military and history buff so it's perfect.  

This iconic image of the Battle of Iwo Jima hangs over his dresser.  When photographer Joe Rosenthal died in 2006, I cut the article out of the newspaper and glued it to the back of the frame.  

This photo is deceiving. The framed print is about 20" x 30"

A print by Georgian Steve Penley (his work is awesome if you're not familiar with it), hangs above my son's bed.  Penley is famous for his Founding Father portraits - you sometimes see them on the Fox News Channel.

America's greatest general flanked by America's first flag with its 13 stars

Finally, I have two prints, similar to this one, by artist Betsy Nimock.  

A 48 star trompe-l'oeil print  with a lovely quote about Honesty.
"An honest man is the noblest work of God.  Honesty will bring its own reward.
The honest penny is better than the stolen dollar.
Honesty is that which compels us when we are wrong to acknowledge it.
Honesty is the best policy."
The photo in the center of the stars is from a teacher's 1920's photo album.

Have a wonderful Flag Day!

Decades Ago

Decades ago today, I graduated from high school.  Believe it or not, this is the lone photo I have of that auspicious occasion.  

A crowd shot from the bleacher's of the First Colonial High School football stadium
(Yeah, we were fancy like that).
Come to think of it, I'm not sure who even took this photo.

You'll have to use your imagination to pick me out of the crowd of 535 graduates.  I don't remember where I sat, though I, no doubt, sat next to my twin sister.  True to form, I don't remember anything about that day and, honestly, shockingly little about my entire high school experience. Don't worry; it wasn't traumatic or anything.  In fact, I remember liking high school, for the most part.  I just have a shockingly poor memory (as evidenced by the fact that I can't remember the post I wrote about my pitiful power to remember anything). It would worry me if I'd ever had a decent memory, but I haven't.  No worries, I still have the tassel from my cap, and I did attend college, so I'm pretty sure I graduated.