Connect with us

Washington

My Favorite Flag in Washington, D.C.

Published

2 years ago

on

My Favorite Flag in Washington, D.C.


Today is Flag Day. Washington, D.C., where I live, is rightfully festooned with numerous American flags gently fluttering on a beautiful June summer day in our nation’s capital.

From my office, I can see the American flag atop the United States Capitol, the flags in front of the United States Supreme Court and a number of flags that fly from the U.S. Senate office buildings.

For those of us who have a love affair with America, this is indeed a special day because the red, white and blue signifies an incredibly important principle: We can never give back to our country all that it has given to us.

As I drove to work today, circling around the Lincoln Memorial and whizzing past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the way up Constitution Avenue to Capitol Hill, I noticed the many flags on the stately marbled federal buildings like the federal reserve, the department of the interior and the National Gallery of Art.

Advertisement

It is quite a testimony to our wonderful country that the Continental Congress passed a resolution in 1777 concerning the design of our flag: 13 alternating red and white stripes replete with the white stars on a field of navy blue. A regal design that lasts through the ages.

It was in 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson rightfully established June 14 as National Flag Day.

One of the great moments of this year was when members of the Phi Kappa Phi Fraternity at the University of North Carolina proudly raised the American flag, supplanting pro-Hamas protesters, while another student at that university nearby waved a small American flag to make sure that old glory was still flying at the stressful moment.

Patriotism thrives among the rising generation of young Americans when they personally witness sobering and dark contrasts to our constitutional republic‘s way of life.

I am a sailor and have sailed the waters of the nearby port of Baltimore Harbor often and there is nothing greater than flying like the wind toward Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key nearby composed the immortal words of our national anthem – and the fluttering flag at Fort McHenry always brings a tear to the eye.

Advertisement

My favorite flag in Washington, D.C., however ,is not technically in the city itself but rather in nearby Arlington, Virginia.

Within sight of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington memorial, and the Capitol dome is the Marine Corps war Memorial – the beautiful Iwo Jima Memorial – where a group of GIs is depicted raising the flag on Mount Suribachi during the battle of Iwo Jima.

The upward power of liberty which provides the catalyst and energy for that beautiful monument is surely one of the most beautiful in all of our nation.

On my way home today, I will be driving around the Iwo Jima Memorial, and will take time to place my right hand over my heart to remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms here and on otherwise forsaken volcanic islands in the South Pacific.

My favorite story about the flag took place in July 1863 during the battle at Fort Wagner in South Carolina when an ex-slave William Carney grabbed the American flag after the bearer of his regiment was shot and falling.

Advertisement

Despite being injured himself, he proceeded to the Fort, placing the pole into the dirt, and making sure that the flag remained upright until other members of the regiment could arrive.

President Calvin Coolidge, who was born on the Fourth of July, said: “We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth. It represents our peace and security, our civil and political liberty, our freedom of religious worship, our family, our friends, our home.”

That’s how millions of us feel about the flag and our country, and why today is so important.

 

Image from Shutterstock.

Advertisement



Source link

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Washington

Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft

Published

6 minutes ago

on

June 23, 2026

By

Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft


Former BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa fulfilled his dream of going No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA draft.

The Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the first pick.

Immediately after the pick, reactions poured in on social media about the Wizards drafting Dybantsa.

Social media reactions to the Washington Wizards selecting BYU star AJ Dybantsa

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Want more coverage of BYU sports? Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up to date on all your favorite teams.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Washington

Washington Commanders announce 2026 training camp schedule

Published

10 hours ago

on

June 23, 2026

By

Washington Commanders announce 2026 training camp schedule


ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders have released their 2026 Training Camp schedule, with eleven open practices between August 1 and August 19, including five open to all fans and six reserved for season ticket members.

For the fifth straight year, training camp will take place at the team’s football operations headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia. 

Advertisement

Open practices for all fans are scheduled for August 1, August 7, August 8, August 18 and August 19.

 Season ticket member practices will be held August 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. 

All sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., with gates opening at 7:30 a.m.

Advertisement

Fans can claim free tickets beginning June 23 at 10 a.m. General admission fans may request up to six tickets and one parking pass for a single day of camp. Season ticket members can claim tickets for two member‑exclusive days in addition to one general admission day. All parking will be on site at the BigBear.ai Performance Center and requires a parking pass.

The team plans several themed events throughout camp, including Back Together Weekend on August 1, Military Appreciation Day on August 7 and Kids Day on August 8. Local youth football and community groups will also be hosted throughout the summer.

Advertisement

For more information visit the Washington Commanders online.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Washington Commanders.

SportsWashington CommandersWashington, D.C.
Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Washington

Algae-filled Washington pool to be drained for repairs after US$14.7 million renovation

Published

21 hours ago

on

June 23, 2026

By

Algae-filled Washington pool to be drained for repairs after US.7 million renovation


The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington’s National Mall is set to be drained again for repairs after algae and peeling paint appeared just weeks after a US$14.7 million renovation, while President Donald Trump threatened prison time for anyone caught ‌damaging the pool.

The DC Water authority issued a permit to drain the 609-metre rectangular pool, it said on Monday, while the repair company said it would fix the pool as part of its warranty.

Peeling paint and algae growth have been visible in the pool since soon after Trump declared the renovation project complete on June 6. Critics have raised concerns about the no-bid contract to recoat the pool before the ⁠nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations next month, as well as for the ducks that use its water. Workers from the National Park Service earlier this ‌week poured hydrogen peroxide into the pool to combat the algae.

Trump, without evidence, has blamed vandals for the state of the landmark. On Monday, he echoed a weekend threat ‌by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro to prosecute people accused of attempting to destroy the pool.

Advertisement

“Please remember that there is ⁠a 10-year prison sentence for the ⁠destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced!” Trump earlier wrote in a social media post. Destruction of federal property can ‌carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

It was not immediately apparent what criminal or civil violation someone might commit reaching into the pool.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending