Don't Walk on Our Flag...Celebrate it!

Floral Flag 2002

A week ago, my mother emailed me a picture of this flag...

...The Only Flag that Doesn't Fly!

The following information regarding this flag is from:

http://www.usa-flag-site.org/

Immediately following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001, the Bodger Seed Company of Lompoc, California wanted to do something to lift the our Country's collective patriotic spirits. They decided that they wanted to plant an American Flag. Not just ANY American Flag, but a really, really, BIG American Flag. They were going to plant a really big American Flag using nothing but flowers. Lots and LOTS of Red, White, and Blue Larkspur flowers. 

For the 2002 Floral Flag, they planted more than 400,000 Larkspur plants. Each plant was estimated to have had 4-5 flower stems each for a total of more than 2 million flowers.

And here is a close-up of this flag

 A real beauty, huh?  I agree.  And, I know none of us would even want to walk on this flag!  My point?  Well, mom told me, that my sister had told her there were doormats with the American flag on them being sold.  And, there has been quite an uproar about this, so, mom asked me to look into it, and, to find out the meaning of  'Flag Day'!  Wha......? 

So, to begin, here's the scoop  on the doormats from http://ozarksfirst.com/

May 2012
(Lake St. Louis, MO)--A Vietnam Vet in Missouri wants Lowe's to stop selling American flag doormats at its home improvement stores.

John Kelly says when he went to the Lowe's near his home in Lake Saint Louis and saw a Memorial Day display that included doormats with images of the U.S. flag on them.

He says they're disrespectful to the flag that he and so many others fought to defend.

"You don't tread on an American flag. you don't wipe dirty boots on them. You don't walk on them. That's a patriotic symbol that represents freedom and the country, and the people in it," says John F. Kelly.

Kelly says he complained to the store management.
He says he was told the item doesn't represent the U.S. or the flag, calling it pop art -- and that it was meant to be hung on the wall.

Even so, the doormats were taken off the display shelf at the store Wednesday afternoon.

The corporate office says it planned to issue a statement on the issue.

***

  I would say, that I have to agree.  I didn't spend much time contemplating my decision to

'walk'-or 'not to walk'!  Without question, most of us already know that we MIGHT say,  "Oh, nice doormat, I'd hate to get it dirty!"  Then, we would carefully step over it, or to the side of it, but, we would NOT step on it, would we?  I knew you would agree!  I have it straight from the 'horse's mouth' (my mom). 

"Don't you DARE step on our Flag!"

Now, here is what I found on the meaning of Flag Day.

(Mom really knows the meaning, I know, and, you, my gracious readers know!)

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Day_%28United_States%29

In the United States Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.^[1] The United States Army also celebrates the Army Birthday on this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775.

There's more to the article if you wish to go to Wikipedia and read further.
***

And, if that's not bad, (the doormats, I mean) get a load of this!

American Flag carseat covers!

I came across an article in the home and garden section of 'The Stir' written by Jeanne Sager.  She was appalled at the idea of patriotic carseat covers.  She said, (and I quote!)
"I'm talking car seat covers so you can sit on the flag and spill fast food on it, fart on it...come on, on long car trips...everyone does it!  And, she goes on to say that she is sure most of the people who buy these things are just 'well-meaning' Americans caught up in 'flag fervor'!

What say you, my patriotic readers?  I, uh, have a t-shirt with our flag on it...but, I've never spilled anything on the shirt, or wiped my nose with it!  And, there is so much American Flag stuff out there.  Paper products like plates, napkins, paper cups....I think some of us have used these items.  Is that Okay?  I think so!  Well, I'll leave it up to you!
...I just know this!!!  I will not step on an American Flag doormat, and, after having read that article in 'The Stir', I'll certainly not sit on American Flag carseat covers!  REST ASSURED!!!
***
And, now, the Fourth of July is gaining on us.  I know, I know, I reminded you last year to always proceed with caution when preparing to light any kind of fireworks.  And, please keep your car windows up...I worry so much about flying fireworks from oncoming vehicles-I'm sorry, but, I've seen it happen.  

Just be safe, and, enjoy the holiday...I care♥

Thank you for stopping by...I don't have a tip jar, but, will accept fond HELLOS!

"Off with your hat as the flag goes by.
And, let the heart have its say;
You're man enough for a tear in your eye
That you will not wipe away.
~Henry Cuyler Bunner

Thank you's go out to:
Google
Yahoo
wikipedia
http://thestir.cafemom.com/
quotegarden
Thanks Leta for telling mom about the doormats!
Hi Mom, and thanks for the floral flag photo!
Thank you Karo for the great 'Hobo' dinner!

♥ In loving memory of my brother, Stan
born on the Fourth of July in 1950♥
♥ passed away March 16, 2007♥
'We miss you Stan'

Here's a photo of me and my brother Stan * July 1956
taken at Swope Park Zoo in Kansas City
We were at the children's part of the zoo making wishes!
My wish must have been a funny one...go figure!