At the Gopher Market, DAR members recently recognized Mike and Richard Carper for flying their flag at their business. Pictured, from left to right, are Carolyn Roberts, Mike Carper, Alyssa Stump, Richard Carper, Margaret Hines and Diane Givens.
Pam Dudding Contributing writer
To commemorate annual Flag Day on June 14, the Craig Valley Chapter NSDAR recognized two New Castle businesses for their year-round and patriotic display of the American Flag.
“Gopher Market and the Emporium General Store both received certificates noting their “Proper Use, Correct Display and Patriotic presentation of the flag of the United States of America,” said DAR member Diane Givens. “One of the many action committees of the National DAR is the American Flag Committee which was established in 1909 with these objectives: to keep the flag flying and to protect it continuously under all conditions, as well as to educate citizens regarding its correct usage.”
Mike and Richard Carper and store manager Alyssa Stump accepted the certificate on behalf of Gopher Market while Deborah Spence accepted for the Emporium General Store.
In America, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress which stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
The United States Army also celebrates its birthday on this date.
History shows that in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day and on August 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.
Submitted photo
Members of the Craig Valley DAR presented Deborah Spence of the Emporium General Store their certificate for proudly flying the American flag. Carolyn Roberts, Margaret Hines, Deborah Spence and Diane Givens are pictured from left to right.
Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, however, on June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday. Also, New York Statutes designate the second Sunday in June as Flag Day, a state holiday.
Other states also honor the day by hosting gala parades.
Givens noted that, “The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War.”
She also noted that annual support goes to five different military bases such as medical centers in Germany and Walter Reed in Maryland. This also includes the 3,000 chapters around the country that regularly send thousands of personal care items, medical supplies, packages of popcorn, batteries, boots, cards, and gifts to Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard units on the front lines and at sea.
“Our local Craig Valley DAR ladies are proud to support businesses as well as active military throughout the entire year,” Givens added. “We are proud of these and other businesses in the community which display our national symbol.”
Several families in Craig also support Flag Day as well as other patriotic days by flying their flags, some even daily, with a light displayed on it at night, which is the proper way to display at night.
“We appreciate the recognition from DAR,” Mike Carper said. “And we are proud to fly the flags at both locations. We are proud to be American-owned and serving Craig County.”