"The flag of the United States has not been created by rhetorical sentences in declarations of independence and in bills of rights. It has been created by the experience of a great people, and nothing is written upon it that has not been written by their life. It is the embodiment, not of a sentiment, but of a history."

~ Woodrow Wilson

Today is a grand old day, a day to celebrate the symbol of our great country, the American flag.

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill establishing June 14 as Flag Day.

Over the years since 1777, when the grandfather of our current flag was unfolded, the sight of that flag rippling in the breeze has been a sign of hope and pride that has led men in battle and consoled them at funerals. It has acted as a sign of peace and safety as it is flown in every community across this country.

We urge you, if you have a flag, to go outside today and hang it with pride.

In these times of distrust, including distrust with our own government, the flag represents a strength that is our country, a strength that has been preserved by the blood of hundreds of thousands of young men and women throughout our brief history.

God bless us all today, and God bless our flag. May it ever yet wave.