Leading in the Right Direction
President’s Corner
Celebrating Three Special Days
Today we celebrate with pride the establishment of our National Flag. It seems like a coincidence that it also happens to be President Donald Trump's birthday, which to me is somewhat prophetic. Of course we also honor our fathers as today is Father's Day. Although the significance of this day may escape some, I believe it is an honor to fathers all over America that they can share this day of celebration with our flag.
The date is fixed, but the holiday behind it was anything but inevitable. It took a single line of congressional record, a devoted schoolteacher, and the better part of two centuries to turn an anniversary into a national observance. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed a short but momentous resolution: "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." With those few words, a new nation gave itself a new symbol. There was no ceremony or holiday just a young country, at war, deciding what it would fly.
The man most responsible for turning June 14 into a tradition was Bernard J. Cigrand, a teacher from Wisconsin who in 1885 asked his students to observe what he called the flag's "birthday." He had them write essays on what the Stars and Stripes meant to them. He wrote articles, gave speeches, and never stopped in his mission. He became known as the Father of Flag Day. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day across the country. For the first time, the anniversary had the weight of the presidency behind it, but it was an observance rather than a law.
That final step came in 1949, when President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day. A schoolteacher's dream was now written into the statutes of the United States. Although Flag Day is not a federal holiday, it is a day of recognition. which, in a way, suits it as it asks nothing of us except attention. It invites every American to step outside, raise the colors, and remember that the symbol overhead is older than almost anything else we share. From thirteen stars to fifty, through war, reconstruction and reinvention, the flag has been there the whole time. Today let's ponder this history and simply take a moment to stop, to say so, and to fly our flag.
While today we mark these celebrations, I am grateful that yesterday our club had the privilege of hosting 20 important candidates for office in Arizona's upcoming primary & general elections. These candidates had many other options but they chose to speak to our club because of our stellar reputation. Many drove from the airport, others had commitments in other cities, but they came to address us. Unfortunately less than 50 club members showed up to hear from them. I am truly saddened at this apathy especially when this election is so critical. Our club has benefited by having a good reputation for member engagement. Yesterday, that reputation was tarnished. My hope is that we can earn it back.
Patricia Moore
Men's Breakfast Club
The "Men's Breakfast Club" meets at 8:30 AM on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Eagle's Nest Dining Room Alcove.
If you are interested in a lively, morning conversation about political events and your first cup of coffee, please attend this breakfast. This is a real opportunity for some "like-minded" discussion.
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Chuck Streeter - streeter@greencafe.com
PCRC Women's Luncheon
If you are looking for an informative and lively conversation among "like-minded" women and the opportunity to "talk Republican," here is your chance!
The luncheons are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 11:30 AM in the Eagle's Nest Dining Room Alcove. Eagle's Nest limits reservations to 20 women.
If you plan to attend, RSVP to Vicki Streeter at streeter@greencafe.com