"In a small one-room school house in Waubeka, Wisconsin, in 1885, 19 year old grade school teacher Bernard J. Cigrand rested a small, 38-star American Flag in an inkwell on his desk and asked his students to write an essay on what the flag meant to them.  This became the first formal observance of Flag Day, and from that day forward Mr. Cigrand dedicated much of his life to establishing Flag Day as an official holiday.  In 1916, his goals were realized when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that June 14th would be officially established as Flag Day, and in 1949, Congress declared a National Flag Day to take place on June 14th every year.
 

“This Sunday we will once again celebrate Flag Day.  Although there are parades and concerts taking place across the country, most Americans will not celebrate with grand events or observances; we will not gather with distant relatives or purchase gifts for our young children.  It is in the simple act of hanging and displaying an American Flag that we celebrate. 

“This year we should be especially grateful to our men and women of the armed forces serving abroad, and those that have returned from war zones.  The flags hanging outside our homes are the same flags that adorn the uniforms of our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who fight every day to protect the principles the flag represents.  It preserves the memory of every American who has died defending his or her country in service to it.  In the 232 years that the flag has been the symbol of our country, it has led our troops into battle in the creation and defense of our country, it has raced across Europe in defense of others in the fight against fascism and tyranny, and it has been planted on the surface of the moon as a symbol of our technological ambitions.

“As I drive down the street and see house after house, each with a flag out front, it is a powerful reminder that despite any differences we might have or any difficulties we may endure as a nation, each American is grateful to live in a country that gives them the opportunity to pursue their ambitions, express their opinions freely and lead the life they want to live.

“This Sunday, just as Bernard J. Cigrand asked his students to do 124 years ago, I hope we take a moment to remember what the flag represents to each of us, and be thankful for it.”