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Flag Day honors America's stars and stripes
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Flag Day was originally conceived by schoolteacher BJ Cigrand to honor the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777. According to usflag.org, He first referred to the observance as "Flag birthday." Some years later, George Balch, another teacher, would influence the State Board of Education of New York to officially observe Flag Day. After years of local and state celebrations, President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day through an official proclamation in 1916. President Harry Truman would later sign an Act of Congress in 1949 to designate June 14 as National Flag Day.

Bobby Hamby, member of the American Legion Post 32 in Covington, wants people to understand the importance of the holiday that is usually overlooked by many Americans.

"Flag Day is a day that we honor our American Flag. It’s where we should pause and think about our flag and what it stands for. We should honor our flag not just on Flag Day, but everyday," Hamby said.

Americanflags.org provides a few tips on how to properly store, present, and dispose of the American Flag:

• Storage — the flag should be folded lengthwise twice. Make triangular folds starting on the opposite end of the union—the blue field of stars. When finished, union should be showing. Store in a plastic container to keep dry and away from dirt.

• Presentation — there are many guidelines in the U.S. Flag Code concerning the proper display of flying a flag. The flag must be clean and without any damage. It can only be flown at night if it is appropriately lit. Only all-weather flags may be flown in inclement weather. It may be hung vertically, but the union must never face the ground.

• Disposal — to dispose a flag at home, one must discreetly burn or bury it. The flag must be burnt until unrecognizable.

Flag Day will be observed Monday. The American Legion will be teaming up with the Elks Club to commemorate Flag Day this Sunday at 3 p.m. at The Elks Lodge on Crowell Road. The Elks Club will be exploring the history of the holiday. The American Legion will then hold a flag disposal ceremony that the public is invited to attend.