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The flag is more than swag Did you know what's thought of as our first flag had nothing to do with red, white and blue? It was a pine tree design, by Col. Joseph Reed, George Washington's secretary.
The year was 1775, Washington was still Gen. Washington, and Reed suggested a white background, tree, and motto "An appeal to heaven" for ships Washington commissioned. This was the banner continental forces carried in the Battle of Bunker Hill.
If I'd ever known that, I had forgotten it until Sunday, when I had the honor of attending the Montrose Elks Flag Day ceremony, and the above history was read out.
With Lodge members carrying each banner to the front of the room in turn, Bob Bell detailed the stories of successive banners representing the American colonies and republic, starting with the flag of England (1607 to 1775), all the way up to the one we know and love, which has borne 50 stars since the addition of Hawaii as our 50th state.
Also, in 1990, Congress passed a law recognizing the National League of Families POW/MIA (prisoner of war, missing in action) flag.
My hat is off to the Montrose Elks for this fine ceremony and interesting information.
Officially, Flag Day is tomorrow, June 14. You can hang your banner with pride and, at 7 p.m., head on down to the Montrose Church of Christ, 1215 Calm Water Drive, to watch Trail Life USA Troop CO-0413 kids conduct a dignified retirement ceremony for flags no longer suitable to be flown.
There are worse things than the wind ... It's no surprise to learn we are again under a red flag warning for high winds. The National Weather Service says the red flag warning is in effect until 11 tonight. It should go without saying that nobody should be burning anything. So, please — don't.
If you noticed the wind, you probably also noticed the haze and faint smell of smoke. That's the Haywire Fire in Arizona, evidence of which is being carried over to us. As unpleasant as that is, it's not even comparable to those in the fire's path.
Please spare a thought for the folks near Flagstaff, who have been ordered to evacuate.
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