Flag Day is normally observed on June 14.
Somehow there seemed to be a reason, and no doubt there was, to celebrate Flag Day early on the 8th of June.
No matter, we can honor the United States flag anytime.
It is always proper to honor our flag anytime and anywhere, provided we follow the proper procedure.
Actually, the Continental Congress approved the design, etc. of the flag on June 14 in 1777, and Americans everywhere have loved to wave our flag ever since.
On the 8th of June, members from the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King and from each hall – Olson Hall, MacArthur Hall, Stordock Hall and Ainsworth Hall, where I live, along with Claire Trepaneur and Jim Holman, who joined me and the other members to participate in the Flag Day Parade in Appleton.
The weather behaved, and the parade went off without a hitch, and nobody got wet.
The parade was enormous, and business establishments in Appleton and many other surrounding communities provided much needed vehicles and other support.
Our group of veterans was offered bathroom facilities and a lunch room to eat our sack lunches by a glass company.
I regret I did not get their name, but their help was very much appreciated.
There was much music by four bands, and the parade route covered about three miles.
We were greeted by thousands of people as we slowly passed down the parade route in trucks and floats.
Everyone shouted “Thank you for your service,” to which we responded with “thank you” and a salute at times.
It was an exhilarating experience.
It occurred to me as we passed through that the people of Wisconsin came to honor our national flag, not because they had to but because they love our country and they chose to join the most patriotic way.
I know the veterans from King Veterans Home want to express our sincere gratitude to the people who so generously made the parade possible and to all the great people who stood and cheered for hours as we passed.
To our great bus driver Lisa, who did such a great job.
We do indeed live in a great land.