Celebrate the flag
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 14, 2005
By Linda Kane, Tribune staff reporter
The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America’s birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885.
BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wis., Public School district to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as &uot;Flag Birthday.&uot;
In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as &uot;Flag Birthday.&uot; or &uot;Flag Day.&uot;
Flag Day recognizes the June day in 1777, when the Continental Congress adopted the “Stars and Stripes” as the official flag of the United States.
Worn and torn flags that need to be discarded will be properly disposed of during a flag burning ceremony at 6:30 p.m. today in the parking lot of the Elks Lodge.
&uot;The flag is still the emblem of the United States of America and it needs to be given proper respect,&uot; said Arnie Mulso commander of the Leo Carey Post #56.
Any military service organization can hold a flag-burning ceremony, but the American Legion happens to be the only one in Albert Lea, Mulso said.
People who have old flags can drop them off at the Legion, located at 142 N. Broadway, and buy a new one while at the facility. Cost for a flag ranges around $25.
&uot;Basically the burning of the flag is like a proper burial,&uot; Mulso said.