Flag Etiquette

"The things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people. Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history."

Woodrow Wilson, June 14, 1915, Flag Day

Whether it be nylon, polyester or plain cotton, the American flag is more than fabric and thread. It represents each of us, our past, present and future. Great sacrifices and national pride are stitched into its stars and stripes, and it stands as a symbol of hope, opportunity and freedom.

The flag is not an inanimate object. It flies freely with a life force powerful enough to unite an entire nation.

Since every person has the right to own and display the American flag, it's important to treat it with respect. Representatives of 68 national organizations including the Army and Navy came together to create the United States Flag Code, which became public law about a year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This code formalizes and unifies a set of instructions on handling, displaying and caring for the American Flag. It also indicates inappropriate use and disrespectful behavior. By following these rules, you are showing the flag and our nation your reverence and pride.

When and How to Fly the Flag

Although it is permitted to fly the American Flag any and every day of the year, it is recommended to fly the flag on certain holidays and special occasions. Most people associate the flag with patriotic days like Independence Day and Flag Day, but any holiday that is important to our country can be represented by the flag.

Dates:
New Year’s Day - January 1
Martin Luther King Day - 3rd Monday in January
Inauguration Day - January 20
Lincoln’s Birthday - February 12
Washington’s Birthday - 3rd Monday in February
Easter Sunday - Variable
Patriots' Day - 3rd Monday in April
Mother’s Day - 2nd Sunday in May
Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff) - May 19
Armed Forces Day - 3rd Saturday in May
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) Last Monday in May
Flag Day - June 14
Father’s Day - 3rd Sunday in June
Independence Day – July 4
Korean War Veterans Day - July 27
Labor Day - 1st Monday in September
Patriot Day (half-staff) - September 11
Constitution Day - September 17
Gold Star Mother’s Day - Last Sunday in September
Columbus Day - 2nd Monday in October
Navy Day - October 27
Election Day - 1st Tuesday in November
Veteran’s Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - 4th Thursday in November
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff) - December 7
Christmas Day - December 25
State Birthdays/Holidays
Other Days Proclaimed by the President of the United States

Hours

For a stationary flag displayed on a building, pole or staff, it is customary to fly it from sunrise to sunset. You are only permitted to display your flag at night if it is properly illuminated. This means that you must have a light dedicated to "spotlighting" your flag. A street light or well lit area will not provide enough light. With the right lighting, you can fly your flag 24 hours a day for as many days as you like.

Conditions

If you haven't invested in an all-weather flag, make sure you bring your flag indoors in weather conditions like rain, snow, sleet or hail. Even all-weather flags can be damaged by severe storms, causing them to become torn and tattered. A damaged flag is disrespectful to our nation, and will require repair or replacement.

The Flag Code describes the flag as a living thing, and it should be treated as such. With the proper care, your flag can last for a long time with little or no repair.

Location

According to the Flag Code, the American Flag should be flown:

--On or near every polling place on election days Voting is one of the most important rights we have as American people. It, like the flag, represents our freedom, and stands as a basis for our governmental structure. It is a requirement that the flag is flown on election days at polling places.

--On or near the main administration building of all public institutions

--On or near every schoolhouse (during school days) The flag is to be flown at public schools and colleges to instill a sense of patriotism in the students. These institutions are owned by the government and important to the nation. Although it is strongly suggested to fly the flag in these areas, it is not required.

Position

The flag should always be displayed upright with the union to the top left. Flying the flag with the union down is considered a "breach of etiquette" (Sharpman). However, it can be used as a call for help, similar to SOS, if you are in extreme danger and need assistance.

Throughout the years war protestors have flown the flag upside down to show that the entire country is in distress. It is still a debate whether this should be considered a desecration of the flag or an expression of free speech. It will usually attract negative attention from law enforcement and civilians alike.


Two Blonds & Co. carries flagpole eagles and other patriotic memorabilia and while doing research for July 4th festivities, we came across UNITED STATES FLAG STORE. Their site is most informative regarding the display of our flag, the history and the meaning of respective holidays and events. They offer many sizes of flagpoles, flags and bunting.

U.S. Independence Day a Civic and Social Event

Americans celebrate July 4, 1776, adoption of Declaration of Independence

By Michael Jay Friedman
Washington File Staff Writer


Fourth of July fireworks burst above the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and US Capitol in Washington DC

Washington -- The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4, a day of patriotic celebration and family events throughout the country. In the words of Founding Father John Adams, the holiday would be “the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, … . It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

The holiday is a major civic occasion, with roots deep in the Anglo-American tradition of political freedom.

A SUMMER HOLIDAY

Community fireworks displays are common. In New York City, Macy's department store for 30 years has sponsored a July 4 fireworks display. In 2005, the 30-minute show featured 35,000 shells launched from seven barges afloat in the East River and in New York Harbor. The Associated Press estimated that more than 3 million watched in person. The event also has been televised nationally in recent years.

"The Fourth" is a family celebration. Picnics and barbeques are common. July is summer in the United States, and millions of Americans escape the heat at beaches and other vacation spots. Independence Day is not among the legal holidays fixed on a Monday or Friday, but many employees use vacation time to create an extended weekend, as in 2006, when the holiday occurred on a Tuesday.

Construction of important public works sometimes begins on July 4. The Erie Canal, Washington Monument and Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (the nation's first) all broke ground on Independence Day. The date reflects a desire symbolically to stamp these projects as true civic improvements.

A CIVIC OCCASION

The Fourth of July is a time when elected officials and other public figures often give speeches extolling American traditions and values.

Independence Day has provided some of this nation's most stirring words of freedom. In 1788, Founding Father James Wilson addressed a Philadelphia gathering that was possibly the largest July 4 celebration in the young nation's history. He exhorted his fellow citizens to ratify the proposed Constitution. "What is the object exhibited to our contemplation?" he asked. "A WHOLE PEOPLE exercising its first and greatest power -- performing an act of SOVEREIGNTY, ORIGINAL and UNLIMITED….”

On July 4, 1852, the black journalist and abolitionist Frederick Douglass decried the evils of slavery, still prevalent in the American South at that time, but identified forces "drawing encouragement from the Declaration of Independence, the great principles it contains, and the genius of American Institutions in operation" that "must inevitably work The downfall of slavery."

Ninety years later, near the darkest moments of World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt reminded the nation that July 4 symbolized "the democratic freedom which our citizens claim as their precious birthright:" For the "weary, hungry, unequipped Army of the American Revolution," he continued:

"the Fourth of July was a tonic of hope and inspiration. So is it now…. The tough, grim men who fight for freedom in this dark hour take heart in its message -- the assurance of the right to liberty under God -- for all peoples and races and groups and nations, everywhere in the world.

On July 4, 2001, President George W. Bush spoke outside Independence Hall, Philadelphia, birthplace of the Declaration of Independence. That document, he said, continues to represent "the standard to which we hold others, and the standard by which we measure ourselves. Our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to these ideals. Our greatest tragedies have come when we have failed to uphold them."

Across the nation, civic leaders of even the most humble station echo these words, and their audiences give thanks for the freedom and liberties that the founding generation won for all Americans.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov/)










A display of fireworks illuminates the sky near the Statue of Liberty as seen from Jersey City, NJ on July 4, 2004.

TWO BLONDS & CO.- Home & Garden

30" Liberty Flag Weathervane

--Black arrow, mast, directionals and base included with color ornament
--Ornament is available on garden or rooftop weathervane bases.

Rooftop Weathervane Height - 30 Inches

Garden Weathervane Height - 6 ft.

Dimensions (inches): 13.5 L x 12.5 H

Note: Color Finish for rooftop and garden weathervanes shown in picture.

Prices:

Color Finish for Rooftop
Retail price: $79.00
Our price: $75.50

Color Finish for Garden
Retail price: $69.00
Our price: $66.00

Black Finish for Garden
Retail price: $55.00
Our price: $52.50

Black Finish for Rooftop
Retail price: $65.00
Our price: $62.00

TO PLACE AN ORDER: 30" Whitehall Liberty Flag Weathervane

Show your patriotism with this and other quality Whitehall Products available at

TWO BLONDS & CO.

From the kitchen of: Two Blonds & Co.

TOTILLA SOUP

by "The Mommy"

TOTAL PREP TIME: 30 minutes

4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed **
1 TBSP cooking oil
1 TBSP butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 large bell pepper, chopped
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
Pinch of salt to taste

1 tsp sugar
1 14 oz can chicken broth
1 28 oz can “fire roasted” diced tomatoes

1 10 oz can Rotel mild diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
1 14 oz can sweet whole kernel corn, drained
1 14 oz can black beans, drained

1 bag corn Tortilla chips
Shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

In a 5-quart Dutch Over, cook chicken in oil & butter until done, stirring frequently. Add onion, bell pepper, cumin & Old Bay Seasoning; cook over medium heat until onions & bell peppers are tender, but not mushy. Carefully add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Rotel tomatoes, sugar & salt. Bring to boil. Add corn & black beans. Turn down heat & simmer for 20 minutes. This dish actually acquires more taste after several hours or over night.

Ladle into oven proof bowls. Break a handful of chips onto center of each bowl of soup and top with cheese. Pop into microwave for 1 minute to heat chips and melt cheese. Serve with Coronas, lime and firehose. Enjoy!

**Frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts are a stock staple in my kitchen. Leave chicken slightly frozen and cutting will be much easier.

Summer Fruit with Sugar & Spice

There are few pleasures tastier than a bowlful of juicy summer fruits. Delicious on their own, a bit of butter, sugar, and just the right combination of spices can make them even more memorable. Here, try our nine great pick-of-the-season desserts ripe for summer entertaining.

SEIZE THE SEASON

The time for summer fruit desserts is sweet but fleeting. Here’s how—and why—to get your fill.

Strawberries If you don’t have a strawberry patch in your backyard, you’ll find the sweetest, juiciest strawberries at the pick-your-own patch nearby. Pick more than you can eat fresh and make jam to enjoy in January. For easy freezer jam recipes, see www.kraftfoods.com/recipes.

Blueberries Dessert may be the healthiest course in your meal if it’s based on blueberries—they have among the highest concentration of antioxidants of any fruit.

Cherries Cherry season is short; sweet cherries reach perfection in late June, tart cherries in July—but they freeze well. Stock up on tart cherries (and buy a cherry pitter), pit and freeze them, then enjoy cherry pie this winter.

Peaches & Nectarines Both of these fruits are ideal for dessert at summer cookouts because they hold up so nicely on the grill. They’re also hard to beat in pies, fruit crisp, and tossed with honey and served atop ice cream. Try white-fleshed peaches as well.

Raspberries More than perhaps any other fruit, raspberries pair deliciously with chocolate. We suggest serving up a bowl of golden and red raspberries with whipped cream alongside a tray of fancy chocolates.

Blackberries These rich, wine-flavored berries have many different names—black raspberries, black mulberries, elderberries, boysenberries, marionberries, and loganberries. They all work equally well for eating out of hand or in dessert. Look for them May through August.

Apricots Like cherries, apricots appear in the markets ever-so-briefly. To freeze fresh ones, halve and remove the pits, then place on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid. Pack in a resealable plastic bag in the freezer.

Plums Part of the fun of plums is that there are so many varieties ripening in stages throughout the summer. Try Santa Rosas in cakes and cobblers and tiny dark-purple Italian (also called prune) plums in tarts.

Melon All fruit desserts have a lightness about them, but those featuring honeydew, cantaloupe, or muskmelon are truly refreshing after a hearty grilled steak. Look for the best melons in late August and September.

SUMMER FRUIT RECIPES
Apricot-Raspberry Almond Tart
Olive Oil-Basil Cornmeal Cake with Strawberry Sauce
Melon and Champagne Slushes
Mango-Anise Panna Cotta with Blueberries and Honey
Plum Upside-Down Cake
Summer Fruits in Lavender Syrup
Grilled Nectarines with Dark Rum Custard Sauce
Tart Cherry & Five-Spice Cobblers
Sweet Cherry-Chocolate Chunk Gelato

Country Home Magazine

DECK DESIGNER

What a great tool for planning a deck! If you can click and drag then you can do this. Our friends at Lowe's always have the "Do-It-Yourself" builders in mind. You will have to register on Lowe's site in order to use any of their calculators, but it's definitely worth your time to do so.

DESIGN YOUR DECK: You'll find examples to use or design your own.

BUILD YOUR DECK: Everything you need to construct your planned deck is listed.

This is just one of many projects in Lowe's "How-To" Library.

Mulch With Style

To accessorize your container garden, banish the bark and add bling.

By Kate Karam
photography: Tom McWilliam
Cottage Living Magazine

Great pot? Check. Healthy, happy plant? Got it. What’s missing? An eco-chic layer of water-saving mulch to top-dress all that bare soil. Sure, you could toss on a few handfuls of shredded or chunky bark, but really, how 1980s is that? This season, cap off your pots and window boxes with a hardworking mulch that matches the mood of your plantings. Think of it as pearls on a little black dress.

Tumbled seashells

With their carved shapes, myriad sizes, and soft, warm colors, seashells are a no-brainer for coastal landscapes but also bring a bit of the beach to even the most landlocked gardens.

Why it works

The right mulch can connect the plant to its container. Tumbled shells like this beach ivory marry the oversize clamshell to its dune grass planting, but any shells (found or bought) would do.

Best combos

Try breezy plants like Northern sea oats, lilyturf, Japanese blood grass, or feather grass.

Crushed glass

Shimmering chips of recycled glass—edges smoothed for safety— come in many sizes and a rainbow of colors.

Why it works
Mixing-and-matching the tones of your mulch to the hue of your container adds visual punch. We used Sunshine mix and Blue and Clear Crystal chips to complement our yellow pot.

Best combos
We like modern, clean-lined containers and plants like this red-leafed cordyline or bamboo, palms, or flax.











Pinecones

Pinecones in varying sizes and shapes have a put-there-by-nature look. They decompose quickly and require a second mulching later in the season.

Why it works
An old hollowed-out tree stump or a container that blends with nature, such as our pot made of cork, looks at home with this mulch.

Best combos
Match rustic and faux bois (imitation wood) containers with shade-loving plants, woodsy plants like toad lily and lady’s mantle, or ferns.

**Two Blonds idea: You can also use the balls from a Sweetgum tree!! They are a great deterrent to kitties who like to play in your plants.

Glass marbles


These marbles, made from recycled glass, add a smooth touch to any planting.

Why it works
Matching the shade of the plant to the color of the mulch finishes the look. Cool, sleek, and modern, silver- and gray-leafed plants are sophisticated spiking above or spilling over watery aqua-toned marbles.

Best combos
Pair pale-colored containers with silvery blue-gray plants like the blue oat grass and Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ shown here.








Succulents

In addition to the pretty factor, living mulches, such as succulents, keep the roots of other plants cool by providing tightly knit shade on the soil’s surface.

Why it works
Function meets style—both this copper beech tree and the hens and chicks underneath have pale green leaves kissed with red.

Best combos
Succulents love containers that hold the heat (like metal tubs). Other plants that like it on the dry side: rosemary, salvia, moss, and thyme.