OUR COUNTY

D. Gary Davis

July 4^th has become a favorite summer holiday for vacations, parades and picnics. For all of us it signifies cookouts and fireworks. Needless to say, no one enjoys food and fireworks more than me, but I also want all of us to remember the significance of the holiday.

Taxation without representation—we hear that mentioned from time to time in government. This was the complaint of the thirteen American colonies because they were paying taxes to England's King George III, yet the colonies had no representation in the Parliament.

During the Continental Congress meeting on June 11, 1776, a committee was formed with the task of drafting a document that would officially sever the colonies ties with Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston were the committee members. Jefferson, who was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer, was assigned the duty to write the document. After 86 changes, the final version was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4.

A year late on June 14, the Continental Congress passed an act establishing an official flag for the new nation. Through the years the flag has gone through some changes in the shape, design and arrangement resulting in today’s flag with 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union.

I am sure many of you will be displaying the American flag this Independence Day. Here is a refresher course on flag etiquette I ran across and want to share with you:

• The flag is usually displayed from sunrise to sunset. It should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously. In inclement weather, the flag should not be flown.
• The flag should be displayed daily and on all holidays, weather permitting, on or near the main administration buildings of all public institutions. It should also be displayed in or near every polling place on election days and in or near every schoolhouse during school days.
• When displayed against a wall or a window, the blue field should be uppermost and to the left of the observer.
• When the flag is raised or lowered as part of a ceremony as it passes by in parade or review, everyone, except those in uniform, should face the flag with the right hand over the heart.
• The U.S. flag should never be dipped toward any person or object, nor should the flag ever touch anything beneath it.

I hope to see all of you at the Freedom Celebration this Sunday, July 2^nd at Tri-State Exhibition Center. There will be music, food and activities for the entire family. Enjoy this holiday and keep in mind the significance of the day.