Flag day
By Ventura Tounsel
“hat the flag of the United States shall be of thirteen stripes of alternate red and white, with a union of thirteen stars of white in a blue field, representing the new constellation.”
This was the resolution adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. The resolution was made following the report of a special committee which had been assigned to suggest the flag’s design.
Observance of the adoption of the flag was not soon in coming, however. Although there are many claims to the first official observance of Flag Day, all but one took place more than an entire century after the flag’s adoption in 1777. The most recognized claim, however, comes from New York. On June 14, 1889, Professor George Bolch, had his school hold patriotic ceremonies to observe the anniversary of the Flag Day resolution. This initiative attracted attention from the State Department of Education, which arranged to have the day observed in all public schools thereafter.
Soon the state legislature passed a law making it the responsibility of the state superintendent of public schools to ensure that schools hold observances for Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day and Flag Day. In 1897, the governor of New York ordered the displaying of the flag over all public buildings in the state, an observance considered by some to be the first official recognition of the anniversary of the adoption of the flag outside of schools.
Flag Day is a nationwide observance today. Bernard J. Cigrand, a school teacher in Waubeka, Wisconsin, reportedly spent years trying to get Congress to declare June 14 as a national holiday. Although his attempts failed, the day was widely observed. Both President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day. But it wasn’t until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law.
So, this month neighbors, let your flag fly high. Or feel free to offer our flag a salute as you drive by American Legion Post 109.
Meet Carmela D’Amore Corona Cares
By Carmela D’Amore
My name is Carmela D’Amore, and I am 91 years old (sometimes young). I am in fairly good health for my age. I am originally from Boston, Massachusetts, where I lived most of my life. My husband passed away in 2011, after we had been married for 61 years.
I had been coming to Tucson in the fall and spring for several weeks to visit my daughter and son-in-law, Sandi D’Amore and Paul Anderson. For quite a while they had been trying to convince me to move to Tucson. When the family decided to sell our home, I was going to go to a senior development. Sandi and Paul were not happy with the idea, so I finally decided to come to Tucson.
Sandi connected me with Ellie Abraham and Corona Cares. I started going to the American Legion on Wednesday Fellowship Days, for games and lunch, where I made a lot of beautiful friends. I also started going to bingo at the Legion on Thursday nights. Right now, I am not active because of COVID. Through Ellie, I have a social partner, Diane, who calls me weekly.
I like to go shopping with my daughter, and we enjoy treasure hunting at thrift shops. We go exploring different parks and pack a picnic. I like to paint rocks and give them away. I enjoy making arts and crafts and have made many, various, holiday wreaths, including several that I have given to neighbors and friends. For a while I was making birthday and anniversary cards. I stopped during the winter because I like to do this outdoors; but being cold and windy, it wasn’t comfortable outside. I also enjoy gardening, and I putter around the house a bit. I belong to Newtowners, which meets once a month; at times we do an extra social activity. I have met some very nice ladies and made new friends.
I am not sorry that I came here. My daughter and son-in-law are wonderful to me. My neighbors are great, and at times I have a busy schedule socializing. A special thank you to Ellie and Corona Cares for supporting my needs and requests over the years. It is a blessing to have this resource in our community.
