The flag is flown in the full-staff position on this day. While the law addresses flying the POW/MIA flag on federal installations only (see the link above), civilians should fly the POW/MIA flag directly beneath the U.S. flag on the same pole. State flags should not be flown on the same pole on these occasions.

I am not a member of the National League of Families, but I think those who are would remind us all that is not an occasion of mourning. This is a day to be filled with hope and determination, and to remember that there is still much work to be done. From the League of Families website:

UPDATE:  September 2, 2009

AMERICANS ACCOUNTED FOR:  There are now 1,731 US personnel listed by the Defense POW/MIA Office (DPMO) as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The number of US personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is now 852.  During the League’s 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting, a League member announced that she had just received confirmation from JPAC that remains recovered earlier had been identified as those of her brother, MSGT Donald C. Grella, USA, of Nebraska, listed KIA/BNR on December 28, 1965 in South Vietnam.  Also now accounted for from that same incident are WO2 Jesse D.  Phelps of Idaho and CPL Thomas Rice, Jr. of South Carolina, both also US Army and initially listed as KIA/BNR.  Three Air Force personnel whose names were released as accounted for are Capt Robert J. Edgar of Florida, listed MIA in Laos on 2/5/68, remains repatriated 5/27/97 and identified 4/28/09; Maj Curtis D. Miller of Texas, listed MIA in Laos on 3/29/72, remains repatriated 8/2/06 and identified 2/12/08; and LtCol Russell A. Poor of Indiana, listed MIA in North Vietnam on 2/4/67, remains repatriated 6/14/07 and identified 5/26/08.  To each of these families, the League offers understanding and the hope that these concrete answers bring long-awaited peace of mind.  Of the 1,731 men still missing, 90% were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control.

You can help:  National League of Families

Early this summer, the Texas legislature passed a bill that codifies a protocol for folding the flag, and now Texans have an official method for folding the Lone Star Flag.

Authored by Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, and Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, the legislation goes into effect September 1, 2009.

SECTION 1.  Requires that this Act be known as the Rod Welsh Act, in honor of Rod Welsh, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Texas House of Representatives, who is primarily responsible for developing the method of folding the state flag of Texas established by this Act.

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 3100, Government Code, by adding Section 3100.073, as follows:

Sec. 3100.073.  FOLDED STATE FLAG.  (a)  Provides that the state flag should be folded as follows: fold the flag in half lengthwise with the red stripe facing upward, fold the flag in half lengthwise once more, concealing the red stripe on the inside of the fold,  position the flag with the white star facing downward and the blue stripe facing upward,  fold the corner with the white stripe to the opposite side of the flag to form a triangle, continue folding the corners over in triangles until the resulting fold produces a blue triangle with a portion of the white star visible, and  secure all edges into the folds.

(b)  Provides that a folded state flag should be presented or displayed with all folded edges secured and with the blue stripe and a portion of the white star visible.

(c)  Provides that a folded state flag should be stored or displayed in a manner that prevents tearing or soiling of the flag.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2009.

Photo Credit: from the musical “Texas” in Palo Duro Canyon, Canyon Tx

My choice? I didn’t actually vote, because I don’t live in Oregon. But I like this one. It respects the past with a traditional, yet modern design. And it looks the same from both sides, which is important in Oregon.

Jaymes Walker , 55, Northeast Portland, a landscape designer
The process: “I purposefully kept this flag simple in order for it to represent all of Oregon.” What it means: The “O” stands for Oregon, and is doubled. The incoming stripes frame the letter and strengthen the image to show the strength and solidarity. Blue and gold, the state colors, represent the Pacific Ocean and western Oregon; and the high desert and wheat fields of eastern Oregon. Note that the colors could be reversed.

Hat Tip to Oregonian Ted Kaye, of NAVA—North American Vexillological Association.

By Robert M. Poole for Smithsonian magazine, November 2008

Long before it flew to the moon, waved over the White House or was folded into tight triangles at Arlington National Cemetery; before it sparked fiery Congressional debates, reached the North Pole or the summit of Mount Everest; before it became a lapel fixture, testified to the Marines’ possession of Iwo Jima, or fluttered over front porches, firetrucks and construction cranes; before it inspired a national anthem or recruiting posters for two world wars, the American ensign was just a flag.

 

For the rest of Robert M. Poole’s splendid story in Smithsonian magazine, go here.

On Wednesday, President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush dedicated the renovated National Museum of American History. Today is the grand opening to the public, with retired Gen. Colin Powell scheduled to read President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

The original Star-Spangled Banner—the one that flew over Fort McHenry and inspired America’s National Anthem—had long been displayed in the museum, but for the past ten years it has been in the hands of conservationists, who have carefully preserved the fragile flag.

Now it is beautifully displayed again in a specially designed gallery and enclosure that will protect this national treasure.

All photography from the Smithsonian web site.

It was for the “Run for the Fallen,” to the Healing Field Memorial at Patriot Park in Cathedral City, California, sponsored by the Cathedral City Rotary Club and Cathedral City.

The “run” was a motorcycle parade, lead by motorcyclists bearing four American flags in honor of four local soldiers who had fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There is a wealth of information about how to carry the flags in a parade, but when the flags are borne by motorcycle riders, extra care must be taken, and the members of these motorcycle riding clubs wanted to make sure they carried these flags of honor properly.

The Run for the Fallen motorcycle procession was held by a consortium of local motorcycle riding clubs, with riders on 175 motorcycles from The American Legion Riders of Palm Springs, the Desert Riders Association, and the Palm Springs Harley Owners Group.

The riding clubs carried the four U.S. flags in honor of SPC Jason Chappell, 1st Lt. Joshua M. Palmer,       PFC Ming Sun, and Corporal Jesus Gonzales, who were from the area in and around Cathedral City.

During the Healing Field Memorial, the 4,248 names of American service men and women were read. The National Anthem was sung by legendary band leader Buddy Greco and his wife, Lezlie Anders.

The Cathedral City High School Symphonic Band, and the United States Marine Corps Band from the Air Ground Combat Center in Twenty-nine Palms performed.

Guest speaker was Gunnery Sgt. Christopher W. Cox, U.S. Marine Corps.

More photographs can be seen at The Desert Riders Association website.

Our town’s colorful history (or where did we find that black and gold?)

By Patricia Lowry, Sunday, February 26, 2006

Hey there, you in the black-and-gold sweat shirt, jacket, baseball cap, socks and probably underwear: Any idea why you’re not wearing, say, red and black or blue and white?

Well, says you, Pittsburgh’s colors are black and gold.

Right, but have you any idea why?

Not a clue, says you.

Then allow me to buy you one: One hundred and seven years ago this week, a committee of Pittsburgh councilmen rejected blue and white, red and black, and a number of other chromatic pairs and settled on black and gold as appropriate colors for the city flag.

Post-Gazette Illustration by Stacy Innerst. 

For the rest of this educational story, go to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Hat Tip to TDF Friend Fred Goodwin of San Antonio, for this colorful story.

What’s the story behind Hawaii’s flag?

by Chris Bailey,  October 21, 2008

 

 

You ask. We answer.
Pat Duffus of Clearwater, Florida writes: What is the story behind the Hawaiian flag? When I see it I am reminded more of Britain than Hawaii. Is there a Hawaiian flag that precedes it?

Pat’s right about the British connection. King Kamehameha I flew a British flag throughout his kingdom in the late 18th century, given to him as a token of friendship from fellow ruler King George III.
However, during the War of 1812, an American flag was raised over Kamehameha’s home to placate American interests. It was soon removed after British officers in Kamehameha’s court opposed to it.

Instead, Kamehameha commissioned a new flag—one that incorporated elements of both nations.

For the rest of this story, go to HAWAI’I MAGAZINE.COM.

By the way, I’m bookmarking this magazine website. They have volcano news!

Flag flying again, thanks to precision steeplejack

By DeAnn Smith, October 22, 2008

O’ say, does that Star-Spangled banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the Kansas City Council? Yes it is does again today after being MIA for three-plus months. All thanks to a third-generation steeplejack who flew in yesterday from California.

The wind was blowing hard. A news chopper hovered overhead as a clutch of rooftop spectators stared up as Jim Phelan swayed on a flagpole 520 feet above the street.

It took about 90 minutes but when Phelan was done, the 15-by-10-foot Old Glory was waving again atop the roof at City Hall for the first time in months.

Photography by Todd Feeback for the Kansas City Star

For the rest of this dizzying story, more photographs, and video, go to the Kansas City Star

The State of Oregon celebrates its sesquicentennial next year (1859-2009), and The Oregonian newspaper in Portland has announced a contest to design a new flag for the state. It’s not sanctioned by the State of Oregon, but it’s a start.

The Oregon flag, like many state flags, uses the state seal on the obverse side. But unlike other flags, it has a beaver on the reverse side. Rendered in brilliant blue and gold, it’s chock-full of symbolism, but seen from a distance, the seal is just a golden blur. As for the beaver, it looks like a distant mountain, or collapsed bee skep.

Here’s the story from The Oregonian.

Should Oregon redesign the state flag? Want to give it a try?

 by Michael Milstein, The Oregonian

Saturday October 18, 2008

 

Show us your new Oregon state flag design

Not to complain. Not to bring up a touchy subject when there’s so much economic gloom to worry about.

But could we talk for a moment about updating Oregon’s flag? It won’t cost a cent to consider it, and it might be a fun way to get people thinking about what makes Oregon so special. It could even save a few bucks. Our state turns 150 next year: The perfect occasion for Oregonians to fashion a flag as distinctive as the state itself.

Picture the eye-catching symbolism of the great U.S. flag that instantly stands out from miles away. Now picture Oregon’s: not so bad up close, but tough to decipher or distinguish at any distance.

Oregon is unique, beautiful and innovative and deserves a flag that is, too. Maybe you like our state flag. Let us know that, too. It deserves respect. But maybe you have some ideas that would make it even better.

Right now one of the few things that sets it apart is its price: roughly twice the cost of other state flags because of its unusual two-sided design. 

The rest of the story is at The Oregonian.

I have written before that after the Lone Star, the flag of New Mexico is one of the first flags I learned to recognize because it was so distinctive. All of my neighbor states have terrific flags, and I have written about the flags of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana here and here.

This will be a great story to follow, and maybe the state of Oregon will seriously consider a new flag that stands out in a crowd, yet reflects the history and traditions of Oregon. I wish them all success.

Lakewood Boys & Girls Club kids carry colors

By Kris Sherman of THE NEWS TRIBUNE

Published: October 15th, 2008

They spent time with Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets in a miniature boot camp. They stretched. They pushed their bodies up in time-honored exercise. They did sit-ups and went running.

And for one group of youngsters from the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, the partnership with AFJROTC cadets from Bethel High School reaped a Day in a Lifetime dividend.

Members of the Lakewood Boys & Girls Club present the colors at the last Mariners game of the season. They are, from left, Marie Jackson, Jordan Deagan, David Orozco, Tyrese Holmes, Tyrell Varnell and Moises Estrada.

Photo by Cadet 1st Lt. Christopher Mejia

The rest of the story is here at The News Tribune web site.

Today many Americans will celebrate Columbus Day. Columbus landed in the "New World" on October 12, 1492. The flags carried by Columbus on his first exploration have always been of great interest to the historians and vexillologists. Spanish history is much too complicated for me to understand or explain in any detail, but here’s a very short explanation of the flags that Columbus most likely took with him.

The marriage in 1469 of royal cousins, Ferdinand of Aragon (1452-1516) and Isabel of Castile (1451-1504), unified and brought stability to the two kingdoms. Isabel was Regent—the Queen—and Ferdinand was king consort. Isabel was Queen of Castile and Leon. Ferdinand was King of Aragon and Sicily, and Count of Barcelona, which was comprised his realm.

The flag shown at left was Isabel’s flag—not Ferdinand’s, nor was it the flag of "Spain" either. Queen Isabel was Regent, and it was she who financed the expedition; Columbus carried her royal standard. Isabel’s flag was the flag of Castile and Leon—and was possibly carried as a banner, with the point hanging down (and with the elements righted to that orientation).

The captain of Columbus’s three ship expedition most likely carried the flag on the left: the personal flag of "Fernando and Ysabel." It was their unique family flag.

A third flag was the Royal Standard of the Catholic Kings 1492-1506. This flag featured the arms of the Catholic Kings and Queen. Look closely and you will see the elements of her flag. The heraldry it is described thus: white with the arms of the Catholic Kings—quarterly, 1st and 4th quarters counterquartered of Castile and Leon, 2nd and 3rd quarters per pale Aragon and Sicily; crest: an open royal coronet or; supporter: St. John’s eagle displayed sable, nimbed, beaked and membered or, langued and armed gules; at dexter and sinister base of the escutcheon, respectively, a yoke and a bundle of five arrows, all proper the arrows pointed argent

This flag is popular with Texans, for obvious reasons.  Santa Anna made too many mistakes to list here, but his troubles began in Gonzales, and Texans have had a strong distaste for dictators ever since.

Thirty-two men who stood their ground at Gonzales later died in the Battle at the Alamo.

The image shown at right  is from a photograph by J. Williams and is a detail from the mural in the Gonzales Memorial Museum at Gonzales, Texas.

Below is text from Texas Day by Day, the online feature of the Handbook of Texas, a publication of the Texas State Historical Association.

If you are interested in Texas, this is the book to buy. All Texas 7th graders study Texas history, and if I were wealthy, I’d give each one of them the Handbook of Texas. I don’t know how many 7th graders that would be, but it’s a lot!

October 2,

Texas Revolution begins at Gonzales

On this day in 1835, fighting broke out at Gonzales between Mexican soldiers and Texas militiamen.

When Domingo de Ugartechea, military commander in Texas, received word that the American colonists of Gonzales refused to surrender a small cannon that had been given that settlement in 1831 as a defense against the Indians, he dispatched Francisco de Castañeda and 100 dragoons to retrieve it on September 27.

Though Castañeda attempted to avoid conflict, on the morning of October 2 his force clashed with local Texan militia led by John Henry Moore in the first battle of the Texas Revolution. The struggle for the "Come and Take It" cannon was only a brief skirmish that ended with the retreat of Castañeda and his force, but it also marked a clear break between the American colonists and the Mexican government.

 

Links to related Handbook of Texas Online articles

GONZALES, BATTLE OF

UGARTECHEA, DOMINGO DE

MOORE, JOHN HENRY

CASTANEDA, FRANCISCO DE

GONZALES COME AND TAKE IT CANNON

TEXAS REVOLUTION