From my favorite American flag pics:
Marchers carry huge American Flags in Orleans, MA parade in 2002.
Posted on 06/14/2006 5:42:47 AM PDT by JulieRNR21
WEST YARMOUTH - June 14 doesn't get the same attention as the Fourth of July, but for Thomas Kerr and his wife, Gayle, it is a day filled with meaning.
June 14, or Flag Day, is the day the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes in 1777.
''It's special for our family because of the history of dedication and commitment that both my grandfather and father had to make sure the day was celebrated,'' Thomas Kerr, 61, said yesterday at his summer cottage on Grace Avenue.
Kerr's grandfather, William T. Kerr, is considered by many to be the founder of Flag Day and lobbied most of his life to make it a national holiday.
Born the son of a Civil War veteran in Pittsburgh in 1868, William first proposed the idea for Flag Day after making a speech about the flag in Chicago at the age of 13.
Six years later, he formed the American Flag Day Association of Western Pennsylvania.
While there are several claims to the title of Flag Day founder, William is the only claimant in a photograph of President Harry Truman signing the holiday into law in 1949.
''It was the culmination of his life's work,'' said Gayle Kerr, 58.
After signing the bill, Truman gave William a commemorative pen and the American flag that flew over the White House that day.
''He struck a chord with Harry Truman,'' Thomas Kerr said. ''They both had a very strong faith.''
That faith must have helped as William worked to achieve his goal.
During the preceding years, he had met with seven different presidents in his effort - from William McKinley to Truman.
William played chess by mail with President Warren Harding, exchanged letters with Gens. George Patton and Douglas MacArthur and wrote to every governor in the United States to push for Flag Day.
''Every time I go through that old pile of letters, I think, 'Wow, this is amazing,' '' Thomas Kerr said.
William's son, Joseph Kerr, continued to push for the holiday's celebration.
Joseph was president of the American Flag Day Association of Yeadon, Pa., the town where William lived when Truman made the day official.
''We just are so proud of him,'' Yeadon's mayor, Jacqueline B. Mosley, said yesterday about William Kerr.
Yeadon spends the entire month of June celebrating Flag Day and a member of the Kerr family usually participates, Mosley said.
While the Kerrs are happy the day is still celebrated by many, the way the flag is used for political purposes upsets them.
Pennsylvania is one of only four states that continue to recognize Flag Day as a holiday.
This year, Thomas Kerr won't be able to attend the celebration in Yeadon because his son, Andrew, is getting married on the Cape.
Andrew and his brother Scott continue the tradition of promoting Flag Day, and Scott's young children are being primed for the job.
''We already gave them a book about the flag,'' Gayle Kerr said.
"Born the son of a Civil War veteran in Pittsburgh in 1868, William first proposed the idea for Flag Day after making a speech about the flag in Chicago at the age of 13."
"Six years later, he formed the American Flag Day Association of Western Pennsylvania."
"While there are several claims to the title of Flag Day founder, William is the only claimant in a photograph of President Harry Truman signing the holiday into law in 1949."
''It was the culmination of his life's work,'' said Gayle Kerr, 58.
Thought this might interest you.......especially today!
You might find this of interest ....today!
Thank you for the ping!
From my favorite American flag pics:
Marchers carry huge American Flags in Orleans, MA parade in 2002.
That is beautiful.. Yarmouth is beautiful, I spent many summers on the Cape.
I would love one of those huge flags, Thanks Julie!
This story has a PA connection that you might find of interest.
Yes, one man or woman dedicated to a dream can certainly make a difference!
Proudly put up the U.S. flag here at dawn.
Thanks for the ping Julie. Great story. Pretty nice culmination of a life's work.
Well, it wasn't dawn, (well done!) but it was as early as I could get it up and flying...Flags proudly waving here in Missouri, too.
Wow... great flag day story and what an amazing photo! Thank you for the ping, Julie.
Marchers carry huge American Flags in Orleans, MA parade in 2002.
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Thanks Julie!Nice article!
bttt
"Marchers carry huge American Flags in Orleans, MA parade in 2002."
Actually, it's Chatham, if I am not mistaken. When I was a kid, forty years ago, we rented a cottage right next to Chatham Light, which would be to the right of the CG station in the picture. We would sneak through the little fence and run around on the CG lawn. At night the light would shine in the window as it revolved.
There was a little shop down the street called the "Calico Cat". I just did a google search, and it's still there. Using the google map and the satellite image it appears that your pic is in fact Chatham Light.
Happy Flag Day (and happy birthday to my Mom).
Thanks for the correction....I've had it awhile and thought it was Orleans.
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