I try to write a factual history when I blog. Today I cannot give you statistics and facts. Because today is about what you feel as an AMERICAN. It is what you feel to live in the United States. It is about thankfulness for being born in the greatest country in this world. This day is for REMEMBRANCE for the simple people that became HEROES 13 years ago – 13 years that we have been remembering, honoring and continue to fight for our great Nation.
I remember every moment of the day of the attacks. I was at work and my girls were in school, 30 miles away. Can you tell me your reaction, thoughts and feelings? I bet you can remember every little thing you felt. How scared you were. How you just wanted to be with your family in that moment of crisis. As the day wore on and news came over the radio and television we saw our First Responders, our Firefighters, EMT’s and Police Departments do what they do best: come to the aid of those in need.
I am reiterating this oath so you may read what our forefathers gave us in the 1860‘s: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. (www.senate.gov)
Take some time, whether it be a time of silence, prayer, thanking someone that goes out in a uniform everyday or flying your flag. Honor Old Glory today! God Bless America. Noble eagle. Enduring freedom. Remember September 11, 2001.
Three States ceded into the Union in the month of August throughout our history. Missouri was the first on August 10, 1821. It was the 24th State and that brought our National Flag to 24 stars and its design was 3 rows of 6 stars with alternating red and white stripe. Then came Colorado on August 1, 1876. It was the 38th State and the 38 stared Flag was 5 rows of alternating 8 in a row and 6 in a row. On August 21, 1959 Hawaii became the 50th State to join the Union. The individual State Flags can be found on the United States Flag Store for a great low price.
Our 50 star Flag has a unique story that I would like to share because the adding of the 50th Star was done by a High School Senior. It was designed by Robert Heft, a 17 year old that was doing a history project. He took a 48 star Flag and measured out 100 stars on the blue section. Now this was back in 1959 and Alaska had just been admitted into the Union and this young man was pretty forward thinking. So he sewed the stars on with anticipation of Hawaii becoming a State. He turned his project in to his teacher Stanley Pratt. Well Pratt was not too impressed and Heft only received a B-. Heft, thinking ahead as usual argued his point that there would be 50 states in the future. Pratt told him if he could get Congress to accept his design he would change his grade to an A. Heft then sent the Flag to Congressman Walter Henry Moeller (Ohio) until we needed a 50 Star Flag. By August of 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the proclamation to add Hawaii to the Union.
Congressman Moeller brought Heft’s Flag to the design committee where President Eisenhower himself choose Hefts’ design out of over 1500 others to choose from to become our National symbol. On July 4th, 1960, Bob Heft stood with President Eisenhower to watch the first 50 Star National Flag be raised. The 50 Star Flag has flown over the United States for 54 years now. What an accomplishment for a young man of only 17 years old. Mr. Heft passed away on December 12, 2009. You may hear Bob’s story in his own words on Story Corps at http://storycorps.org/listen/bob-heft/
Just to let you know Bob did finally get his “A” on his history project!
New Stanton, PA – 22 August 2014 – At the request of customers from Puerto Rico, Online Stores has produced the first commercially available 51-star American flag, symbolizing the possible conversion of Puerto Rico from a US Territory into US state. Social media followers of the US Flag Store, the flag division of Online Stores, offered their thanks and support when the flag was announced. American made of weather-resistant nylon in the popular 3’x5’ size, the flag retails for $23.95 and is available for purchase online at the OnlineStores.com using this direct link. http://www.onlinestores.com/51-star-american-flag-3ftx5ft-sewn-nylon.html. The flag is of course not an official US flag yet as it has not been adopted by Congress.
Jorge, a customer of Online Stores, Inc. said, “As a proud American citizen and a native of Puerto Rico, I would like to see my island as the 51st State of the Union. After 519 years first as a US colony and then as a US territory, the people of Puerto Rico demand equality so we can enjoy the full rights, obligations, and responsibility of the continental US. I will be flying your 51-star flag.” Says Cheo, “I currently live in Texas. This flag will be the symbol for the more than 3 million supporters for PR statehood. I will personally fly and display this flag at home as well as pro-statehood meetings.”
Earlier this year, Puerto Rico took a step towards being the 51st state with the introduction of the Puerto Rico Status Resolution Act into the Senate. This bill requires a binding referendum to be held in Puerto Rico asking whether the territory wants to be admitted as a state. The majority have already voted to become a state. (huffingtonpost.com)
Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the United States, that recognizes the United States President as authority. The US controls their currency, military, law, postal system, and Social Security. (welcome.topuertorico.org).
Online Stores, Inc. is a privately held American e-commerce business and a top 500 retailer, based in New Stanton, PA. The company operates several web sites including Onlinestores.com, EnglishTeaStore.com, ConstructionGear.com, Toysplash.com, United-States-Flag.com and DiscountsafetyGear.com. Online Stores serves over 500,000 customers every year.
Victory Over Japan Day. The United States and the Allied Forces won victory over Japan during World War II. On August 15, 1945, just days after the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were hit by the annihilating atomic bombs from American B-29 plane Enola Gay on August 6 & 9, 1945 consequently. This marked the end of World War II. The official surrender was not signed until September 2, 1945 aboard the USS Missouri, which was anchored in Tokyo Bay. General Douglas MacArthur, along with the Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, and the chief of staff of the Japanese army, Yoshijiro Umezu, signed the official Japanese surrender. President Harry S. Truman declared September 2nd as VJ Day.
We observe this on the second Monday in August. VJ Day or Victory Day is not a widespread “holiday.” Rhode Island is the only state that officially still celebrates this memorial. We stay strong in our country because we carry and hold our history in many ways. I am raising my flag in honor of those that came before me. The POW’s, the MIA and the KIA, the members of all who served the United States and her Allies during this time in our history. Raise your flag! Raise them all, the American Flag, the POW/MIA Flag, the Some Gave All Flag and your Flag For the Fallen. Rhode Islanders raise your state flag because there is always HOPE. Fly them proudly!
The Coast Guard turned 224 years old yesterday August 4, 2014. Beginning in 1790, Congress commissioned a flotilla of 10 to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. (www.military.com) The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations in our government. The original name was Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service the name was changed in 1915 when the government joined the Service with the Life-Saving Service to form an organization to serve all maritime services. Including, saving life at sea, enforcing our nation’s maritime laws, aid to maritime navigation, operating the nation’s Lighthouses, Merchant Marine licensing and inspection, since 2003 the Coast Guard has served under the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard has been a defensive frontline in its long esteemed history.
The Women’s Reserve of the U. S. Coast Guard Reserve program (officially nicknamed the “SPARs”), was first established in 1942. LCDR Dorothy Stratton transferred from the Navy WAVES to serve as the director of the SPARs. A total of 978 women officers and 11,868 enlisted women served in the SPARs during World War II. (www.uscg.mil) although women were keepers of lighthouses as early as the 1830’s. In 1973, Congressional legislation ended the Women’s Reserve and women were first officially integrated into the active-duty Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Reserve. This background is sparse (this is a blog!). For more 411 please check out the USCG link.
My girlfriend Melanie and I graduated from high school in 1979. I asked Melanie to tell her story.
What age were u when joined?
I went into the Coast Guard through the “Delayed Enlistment Program” in signed up when I was 17 yrs, I forged my mothers signature to the paper work.
Why the USCG versus another branch of the military?
Actually, there are 2 reasons – 1st one is that I got interested when in 6th grade on a field trip to an air station in Port Angeles, WA. Then I figured I’d go into a smaller military thinking that there may be better opportunities. I was not offered very many opportunities after high school.
What opportunities were offered u as a women?
None really, it was 1979 and they men including the officers thought of the women as “moral incentives for the men” kind of sucked. (that is another story in itself)
Save over 50% of retail on this flag at the US Flag Store!
What were your duties?
I was first stationed in Cape May, New Jersey (Boot camp). While in Cape May I won a push up contest against the guys and I was approached by an officer and asked if I would be interested in being the very first “Full Time” fire fighter in Kodiak, AK. Silly me thought why not. That was the hardest job I have ever had. Men usually only need to prove themselves once with other men, I was forced to proved my abilities daily (I had to carry 200lb men up and down ladders in and out of windows, etc…every stinking day. Then I was stationed in San Diego & Texas (ship and oil well firefighting schools). Then I was sent to Petaluma, CA (Coast Guard Station Two Rock)where I trained to be a radioman. Then to Charleston SC I was radioman their, and off the Miami, FL where I also was a radioman. (As far as busy USCG bases Miami was crazy, I would handle at least 20 SARS (Search & Rescue cases), about 5 Drug enforcement cases, and maybe 10 immigration cases at the same time. I extended my enlisted for one year and got out in 1984.
What is your proudest moment in your USCG career?
I have several but the one that stands out the most is in 1980 I was on Leave in Georgia and came across a vehicle overturned in a ditch. I crawled into the car and assisted the occupant while Billy Carter stood outside the car and kept putting out the fire that had erupted. He told his brother Jimmy about me and I was awarded one of the highest medals offered by the coast guard for bravery and courage.
Now that you have a daughter of your own, would u recommend a military career?
Yes, I would recommend the Coast Guard to my daughter, it taught me valuable lessons that I use every day.
What advice to young women seeking a Coast Guard career would you give?
Check into the academy or officer training schools, an officer life is a much better one. Also, keep your mouth shut, follow orders whether you agree with them or not and just try to have the best time you can.
Melanie was the First Full-Time Women Fire Fighter in the United States Coast Guard. What an accomplishment in that era, because she helped pave the way for women Coast Guard members than set precedent today. Today, on the Birthday of our United States Coast Guard I say THANK YOU for all you do. For my girlfriend Melanie, you are so brave and true, thank you for being my friend.
Our AMERICAN FLAG is so rich in history I thought I would give a little background on some basic facts. Every red-blooded American knows the premise that Congress first authorized the flag June 14, 1777 (maybe not the date; who remembers dates?) and that we would have a star and a stripe represent each state. This evolved over the years because adding the next stripe was too much. We kept the thirteen alternating stripes to the original colonies, but added a new star as each state entered the Union. Did you know that the colors of our flag have significance also?
Red, White and Blue: Red is Valor. White is for Purity. Blue is for Vigilance and Justice.
In May 2014, my boyfriend (Honey) and I bought 500 small stick American Flags for Memorial Day. We had an idea to give back to those that had served in our Military, but what to actually do? We called Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, FL to see if we could place those on the graves, but the Boy Scout Troops in this area attend to the Cemetery. Next we called Veterans Memorial Park, also here in Pensacola, FL and they gave us permission to place the Flags around the park. Now Honey is a former Marine USMC (oorah) so he has very strong feelings to help and/or honor our Military. The Veterans Memorial Park, or as we call it here, “Wall South” (this is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C.) not only has Vietnam War Memorial, but World War I, World War II, Korean War, Global War on Terror, and the Marine Aviation Memorials. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful memorial here in our city that is so historically based on a true love of our country!
You think 500 flags is a lot of flags until you start placing them – after about an hour and a half we found out 500 was not near enough. Without even finishing this year’s placement, we started to plan for next year, larger flags and significantly more! We just loved our flags we bought and we were so humbled to give the honor to those that have served past, present and future. A couple weeks later, we won a gift certificate for Priceless! from the United States Flag Store by submitting a photo of these flags. With our gift certificate, I ordered Honey the Garden UCMC Flag and the Decorative Garden Flag Holder for Father’s Day. The garden flag is just gorgeous and made so well, double sided stitching with vibrant colors! The holder has a nice “locking” arm that secures your flag in all types of weather.
I don’t know about you, but reading about 260 “displaced” factory workers in a time when unemployment is supposedly improving, really makes me mad. These are local folks who work hard for a wage that requires a second income if they want their kids to go to college – or simply to survive, if they head single-parent homes. As a country, America is a consumer nation, importing more goods than we export. What we export are services and technology. All very good things. But what the nation was founded on – hard work and tradition – is getting lost in the new economy.
The reason the mill workers mentioned above are facing layoffs is because of the cheap import of steel. Their employer has been lobbying against inequity for awhile, to remain nominal in cost and continue employing its workers. But it’s just plain less expensive to import so many products. In a time when the mill was lobbying to reduce imports of steel so they could remain competitive, the imports increased exponentially. Now we see men and women who were looking forward to retiring in five years, needing to find new jobs. We see a stalwart of the American industry closing down yet another factory. We see young kids who know the value of hard work entering the field only to exit again.
It’s a tough economy. And yes, United States Flag Stores does import some of their products. You can clearly see on the item description pages, the Country of Origin. It’s there for every flag so you know exactly what you are buying when you place your order. We carry some imported flags for those of you who may prefer something about them – the price, the material, your homeland (because America is the great Melting Pot!). And every customer is important; every customer is why we are in business; every customer has his or her own story. But if you do a search of all of our products, and plug in “America” for Country of Origin on our US Flag search page, you will see over 550 United States flags made right here in America – more than all other countries combined. We have thousands of US-made International flags site-wide, again far more than any other country of origin. Because we love our country. And we know you do, too. Thank you to all our loyal customers who support this American company by buying American flags.
Clever picnic invites: $10
Bug spray: $5
3×5 Made-in-the-USA Flag from the United States Flag Store: $25.70
Having your photo on United States Flag Store’s website: Priceless!
Send us your photos of our products in use or on display. If we use your picture, we will send you a $25 thank-you gift to be used on any of our merchandise! email photos to elizabeth.stubna@onlinestores.com with the product’s website item number or SKU, and the name and address on your registered account, so we can be sure to get your prize to you!
Please note the following: you must be a registered user of united-states-flag.com to receive your non-transferrable credit code. (you can register here: https://www.united-states-flag.com/customer/account/create/) Limit one credit code per registered user of united-states-flag.com. Submitting photos indicates your agreement that the photos are your own, and everyone identifiable in them has given consent to have their likeness used by us for any purpose on any onlinestores.com website. Photos must be accompanied by the SKU or item number from united-states-flag.com.
The United States Flag Store is your one-stop online shopping website for flags, but we also sell a variety of high-quality flag poles and flag pole kits. Because we offer our own Online Stores brand of many of the flag pole kits, we’re able to offer you great products at unbeatable prices, sometimes over 50% off the list price. Read on to learn about a few of the options available for aluminum flag poles and kits.
The 20-foot Flag Pole Kit includes everything you need to fly your favorite flag. The flag pole is made of high quality, maintenance free, 16 gauge aluminum and has a gold ball on top of the flag pole. The total length of the pole is 22 feet, with 2 feet at the bottom intended for cementing into the ground. The flag pole is 2 inches in diameter and disassembles into 5 sections (each section is 57 inches). The rope, all fittings, and plastic ground sleeve for cementing the flag pole into the ground are also included in the kit. This kit is designed for easy installation at home without expert assistance or a crane. Order this kit today for only $69, a savings of $81 off the list price. This is truly an unbeatable deal!
If you live in an area that has more extreme weather, the Heavy Duty 20-foot Residential Flag Pole with Valley Forge Nylon Flag is the perfect option for you. The flag pole included in the kit is 3 inches in diameter and tapers to 2 inches in diameter at the top. The flag pole consists of 5 silver anodized, 16-gauge seamless aluminum tubing sections that fit together for a smooth and tapered appearance. The flag pole includes a 3-inch diameter gold anodized aluminum ball ornament at the top, with the option of upgrading to a gold metal eagle. The flag pole kit also includes a solid braided polypropylene rope with two strong flag snaps, cast nylon rope cleat with mounting screws, heavy duty ground sleeve, and a 3-foot by 5-foot sewn nylon Valley Forge U.S. flag with embroidered stars. Order this great kit today for only $149.95!
If you’re looking for a simple and easy way to wave your American flag, or any other flag, a telescoping flag pole from Online Stores is a great solution. Our telescoping flag poles are easy to install, and don’t require expert assistance or a crane. They have received great reviews from our customers, too! Check out a few of our great varieties.
The Online Stores 16-foot Telescoping Flag Pole has a total length of 16 feet, 5 inches to allow for the bottom of the flag pole to be cemented into the ground. Using a simple spring release button, the pole expands from 5 feet to 15 feet. This flagpole makes flags easy to fly using rotating rings so flags won’t get tangled around the pole, as often happens with ropes. In addition to the telescoping flag pole, the kit also includes a 2.5-inch diameter gold ball flag pole top and a plastic ground sleeve to hold cement in the ground. This flag pole kit is one of our best sellers and includes a one-year limited warranty. Order yours today for just $55, a savings of $24 off the list price!
If you’re looking for a flag pole kit that includes everything you need, including the flag, the 18-foot Telescoping Flag Pole from Online Stores is the perfect kit for you. The kit includes a telescoping flag pole with a total length of 19 feet, to allow for the bottom of the flag pole to be cemented into the ground. Using a spring release button, the pole expands from 5 feet to 18 feet. Like the 16-foot telescoping flag pole, the flag pole has rotating rings to attach the flag, eliminating the need for a rope and the frustration of having your flag wrap around the pole. The kit also includes a 3-inch diameter gold ball flag pole top, plastic ground sleeve, a 3-foot by 5-foot sewn nylon Valley Forge American flag with embroidered stars, and a one-year limited warranty. Order this kit today for just $79!
I try to write a factual history when I blog. Today I cannot give you statistics and facts. Because today is about what you feel as an AMERICAN. It is what you feel to live in the United States. It is about thankfulness for being born in the greatest country in this world. This day is for REMEMBRANCE for the simple people that became HEROES 13 years ago – 13 years that we have been remembering, honoring and continue to fight for our great Nation.
I don’t know about you, but reading about 260 “displaced” factory workers in a time when unemployment is supposedly improving, really makes me mad. These are local folks who work hard for a wage that requires a second income if they want their kids to go to college – or simply to survive, if they head single-parent homes. As a country, America is a consumer nation, importing more goods than we export. What we export are services and technology. All very good things. But what the nation was founded on – hard work and tradition – is getting lost in the new economy.
Flag Blog 