Your online source for flag news and information!
Nov 24th, 2008 by Deborah Hendrick
I have shown you all kinds of flag videos on The Daily Flag, but Red Flag is not the usual.
Please fasten your seat belt, and block out 48:29 minutes from your day.
Hat Tip to Exile in Portales, via Steeljaw Scribe.
Nov 21st, 2008 by Deborah Hendrick
After a decade’s conservation, the flag that inspired the National Anthem returns to its place of honor on the National Mall.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.
Nov 20th, 2008 by Deborah Hendrick
On October 20, The Daily Flag linked to this story in The Oregonian. Today there is an update, with some exciting news for vexillologists.
The response to the flag contest redesign has floored us. I quit counting more than a week ago when we already had 1,000 entries. Now, in the final days (deadline is Friday 5 p.m.) we’ve also gotten envelopes full of submissions from art and history classes across the state.
It’s surpassed what we hoped it would do. The contest has made people — from student citizens to senior citizens — think about what makes Oregon distinct. What symbols brand us. It’s been great to read the letters so many of you have written about what you love about Oregon and why it’s important to you.
I designed a great flag, but the contest asked for entries from citizens of Oregon. My design uses the existing blue and gold, and adds two shades of green. On the hoist side, I used half a wagon wheel in gold (superimposed over the blue) that looks like the rays of the setting western sun. And I bet there are at least 100 entries that look just like it.
Good manners are always appropriate.
Dear Abby: Standing during pledge is simply respect
Dear Abby: “Silent Supporter, Benson, N.C.” (Aug. 26) cannot say the Pledge of Allegiance because of religious reasons.
I support his or her right not to participate. However, I disagree with “Silent’s” interpretation that standing is participating.
For the rest of Abby’s column today, go to Amarillo.com.
Nov 19th, 2008 by Deborah Hendrick
Last month The Daily Flag received a question about flag precedence, etiquette and protocol, which is routine, but for the event in question, it was not.
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.
