It is so reassuring to drive down the street and see our national flag flying proudly in the wind. The problem is most people only do it occasionally. So what are those days that are appropriate to fly the flag?

January 1-start the year out right, even in the snow, and fly the flag on New Year's Day.
January 20-is Inauguration Day and it is a very good day to show our respect for the office held by our President as the President of the United States of America.
January-- the third Monday is the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a day to show our support for the rights of all people no matter their color, religion, or sex.

February-the third Monday is President's Day. We celebrate the birthday of two of our former presidents. George Washington, Father of our Country, and Abraham Lincoln the president who is best known for freeing the slaves and getting us through the civil war.

April -- May brings Easter Sunday. A day to celebrate the religious freedom that we find in the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights that our country offers us and fights to keep.
Mother's Day is the 2nd Sunday in May and is an appropriate time to display the flag. It celebrates all the Mothers who have been willing to let their husbands, fathers and sons serve the people. Today we now even have mothers who are serving in the armed forces and this is a great day to fly that flag and support the Mothers of our country.
Armed Forces Day is the 3rd Saturday in May and is a very appropriate time to fly our flag and show our respect and thanks to the men and women who fight to keep our rights.
Memorial Day is a day when we should fly the flag at half-staff until noon. At noon the flag is raised to its full height. The half-staff is in memory of those who died for this country. It is celebrated on the last Monday in May and reminds us of those who came before us.

June-on the third Sunday in June we celebrate Father's Day. What a special day to display our flag and honor all the men and boys who have served our country in the armed forces, as firemen and policemen and fathers who are trying to raise their children right.

July-an extra special month because it is the month that we celebrate our independence as a new country from England. The day is July 4th and the best day of all to raise our flag.

September-the first Monday is Labor Day and a day to celebrate all the hard working people in this country. Our country doesn't make our people great, but our people make this country great. So celebrate all those who work so hard. September 11 is Patriot Day, September 17 is Constitution Day. Both of these days are wonderful days to raise the flag and support our country and show our patriotism.

October-on the second Monday in October we celebrate Columbus Day to honor Christopher Columbus who dared to sail the ocean and made a major discover, a whole new continent.

November-Veterans Day is November 11 and is a great day to fly the flag and then the fourth Thursday is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a terrific day to give thanks for our country and show our patriotism by flying Old Glory.

December-Pearl Harbor Day is December 7, a day that will be remember by all. Pearl Harbor Day was to that generation what 9 -11 is to our generation. A day when we were attacked without cause. Then of course there is Christmas Day on December 25 and a special day to fly the flag.

So are these the only days when it is appropriate to fly the flag. No, everyday is an appropriate day to fly our flag and if it is lighted then you can fly it all night long, also.
We need to make no excuse to fly our flag we should be proud to do so.

Resource Box - Caroline Mackay 2007
Caroline Mackay is a retired teacher of thirty seven years and writer and producer of many school programs. She is the host of http://www.ezeducationplays.com/articles.html
And http://www.ezelectronicelements.com/page/page/3966316.htm