LAGRANGE — In recognition of Flag Day, the LaGrange de LaFayette Daughters of the American Revolution recently honored three LaGrange County residents for their patriotism.
Jim Yurs and Phil Malone of Howe and Tom Hulen of Wolcottville were honored June 12 at American Legion Post 215 and presented the DAR Flag Day Award for proper use, correct display and patriotic presentation of the flag of The United States.
According to a press release from the DAR, “These awards encompass much more than owning a flag pole with a waving flag. These men and their families fly the flag out of deep devotion and commitment to our great country. The flag is not a yard ornament or holiday decoration. It’s a reminder of what Americans value most. We must not forget the service men and women or their families that maintain the post at home to help preserve what is valued most.
“Historical content credit is given to those who preserve history and create avenues of extraction for articles such as this. Credit for the liberty to do so is given to the forefathers of this great nation that lived and breathed freedom and died to maintain the privilege and U.S. service personnel that do what they do to afford citizens the opportunity to hoist the flag of the United States in their front yard everyday.”
History
On June 14, 1777, the flag of the United States was adopted and this date is now recognized as Flag Day. The Flag Day conception is credited to George Morris of Hartford, Conn., where on June 14, 1861, the city celebrated the flag with festivities and patriotic programs.
In 1885, a teacher named Bernard Cigrand of Waubeka Wis., held a formal observance of Flag Day at his school. Cigrand began touring the country promoting patriotism, respect for the flag and the need for an annual observance. Flag Day was later established as a holiday because of Cigrand’s work and an Act of Congress in 1949 put National Flag Day on the calendar.
Between 1777 and 1960, Congress controlled changes to the flag of the United States, but still maintained the basics. The Act of Jan. 13, 1794, provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795. The Act of April 4, 1818 provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, added on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state and signed by President Monroe.
An executive order of President Taft dated 1912, established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of stars. Two executive orders by President Eisenhower in 1959 provided again for the arrangement and rearrangement of the stars.
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