AUGUSTA, Maine — Thursday, June 14, is the traditional Flag Day, memorializing the day in 1777 when the Continental Congress adopted an American flag to replace the British Union Jack. In honor of this annual observance, Gov. Paul LePage signed a proclamation to highlight the universal symbol of freedom which represents the United States of America.
“America’s flag graces classrooms, state houses, courtrooms, and churches. It is a symbol which represents our Nations’ values and traditions, and it is a badge of honor to all — a sign of our citizens’ common purpose,” LePage said in a press release.
For information regarding flag etiquette, visit http://www.maine.gov/governor/lepage/news/flag_etiquette.shtml.
June 14th has been flag day and my sister’s birthday for as long as she and I have been alive (That’s getting to be some time now). Really BOLD move there Mr. LePage. Will July 4th also still be independence day?
more bogus, uninformed commentary from the token progressive…
Here’s the guvnah’s actual written proclamation:
“WHEREAS, there is no better symbol of our country’s values and traditions
than the flag of the United States of America. Chosen by the Continental
Congress in 1777, it continues to exemplify the profound commitment to freedom,
equality and opportunity made by our founders more than two centuries ago. Our
flag’s proud stars and stripes have long inspired our people, and it’s beautiful
red, white and blue design is known around the world as a beacon of liberty and
justice; and
WHEREAS, today, America’s flag graces classrooms, statehouses, courtrooms,
and churches; the brave members of our armed forces carry “Old Glory” with them
as they fulfill their mission to defend the blessings of democracy and peace
across the globe; our banner flies from public buildings as a sign of our
national community; and its folds drape the tombs of our distinguished dead. The
flag is a badge of honor to all—a sign of our citizens’ common purpose; and
WHEREAS, its 13 red and white stripes represent not only the original
colonies, but also the courage and purity of our Nation while its 50 stars stand
for the separate but United States of our Union. Let us pledge allegiance to
this flag to declare our patriotism and raise its colors high to express our
pride and respect for the American way of life; and
WHEREAS, to commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint
resolution approved August 3, 1949 (63 Stat.492), designated June 14 of each
year as “Flag Day” and requested the President to issue an annual proclamation
calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States
on all Federal Government buildings; and
WHEREAS, the Congress also requested the President, by joint resolution
approved June 9, 1966 (80 Stat. 194), to issue annually a proclamation
designation the week in which June 14 falls as “National Flag Week.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAUL R. LEPAGE, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby
proclaim June 14, 2012 as FLAG DAY.”
Sounds like the Guvnah is doing nothing more than following the directive of the United States Congress.
…just another example of SR displaying the misinformed positions that characterize the overwhelming majority of comments
more bogus, uninformed commentary from the token progressive
Are you telling us that you don’t believe that Still Relaxin knows when his sister’s birthday is?
Ha! These conservatives are so silly that it just seems unfair for us folks living in the real world to make fun of them. Still I had to LOL as I was thinking the exact same thing as you state so plainly here. Perhaps I should check with my mom to be sure that I’ve got my birthdays straight? In any case, on Flag Day/June 14th I’ll be wishing my sis a happy birthday.
We all once thought George Costanza’s family was nuts when they declared December 23rd as “FESTIVUS for the rest of us.” Mr. LePage’s latest bold declaration here now makes Festivus appear to be a stroke of genius. If not for anything else, at least it has a “touch” of originality. Can’t say the same for poor Paulie. I do now know what to send Paul on December 25th (That would be “Christmas” Paul), a nice fancy calendar showing all the holidays! My personal favorite this year will be Election Day, November 6th! Or as the case will be this year, “Goodby Conservatives Day.”
Why do you insist on disrespecting the United States and its government institutions such as the United States Congress and the 50 state executive branch offices?
“Mr. LePage’s latest bold declaration”
this was not a bold declaration, the man was doing what ALL state governors are directed to do under legislation passed in the U.S. Congress in 1949
again, why do you choose to openly disrespect the institutions of our republic?
I can’t speak for SR, by for myself, I tend to be more inclined to respect persons and institutions that don’t show open contempt for me.
LMAO…sure yeah, the resident progressive was posting in regards to his sister’s b-day…
so basically, you’re mind is stuck in third grade and that’s about the best you could do?
…yet again, it is blatantly apparent that SR spouts off with very little understanding of the issues at hand, and in typical fashion, you have merely followed suit
Huh! Capture the Flag!
Isn’t that what he did in trying to privatize Fort Knox?
Was that a Tea Party Reenactment?
Sadly Fort Knox was privatized. When rep Celli couldn’t do it with the state legislature he asked Baldacci to do it by executive decree. When that didn’t fly the FOFK started a PR program meant to connect the FOFK historically to the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Finally a republican administration was voted into office and this was their chance. It wasn’t done nicely or openly or honestly, or democratically, but after consulting the Maine state Attorney Generals office it was just done. There was no bill before our legislature, no public comment opportunity, not even an executive decree. Carol Weston, current Chairperson of the FOFK and the Americans for Prosperity, lobbied the DOC to privatize the Fort and Lepage makes it easy by giving them a lease. One can assume by her using an Americans for Prosperity email address during the lease negotiations that she actually represented the Americans for Prosperity, not the Friends of Fort Knox. She certainly did not represent the people of Maine because they never had a chance to weigh in on the proposal. And oh, guess what? The Americans for Prosperity are holding a celebration at Fort Knox next month with our good Governor heading the guest list. I suppose that’s just to show that they won this battle and to get psyched up for the next theft, er lease, of property from Maine’s citizens. However it isn’t over yet folks. Call your legislator and let them know you aren’t happy with how this went down and that you want the FOFK lease of Fort Knox nullified. Then the American flag can wave proudly over Fort Knox once more!
What a waste of time. Look how much time he has on his hands. He is taking away what the Federal Government already highlights and declared a long time ago.
I pity the next Governor.
In two days it will be Friday, can’t wait for the Governor to sign something on that.
Great job Mr. LePage.
Yes, we’re all impressed with his adroit handling of a day of national celebration that is 235 years old. Great job Mr. Lepage! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Yes, respecting the flag is great…..
He is a pillar of the state that’s for sure…..
Yes he is…LOL
These comments support my theory that any story mentioning Lepage turns into a silly argument.
In the long ago, when I was a kid, my grammar school held a Flag Day ceremony annually. The following poem would be read by one of the students. Of course, that was back in the day before patriotism wasn’t derided with snarky remarks.
The Flag Goes By
by Henry Holcomb Bennett
Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A flash of color beneath the sky:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!
Blue and crimson and white it shines,
Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.
Hats off!
The colors before us fly;
But more than the flag is passing by.
Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,
Fought to make and to save the State:
Weary marches and sinking ships;
Cheers of victory on dying lips;
Days of plenty and years of peace;
March of a strong land’s swift increase;
Equal justice, right and law,
Stately honor and reverend awe;
Sign of a nation, great and strong
To ward her people from foreign wrong:
Pride and glory and honor – all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.
Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums;
And loyal hearts are beating high:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!