Although popular folklore says that Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag in her upholstery shop in Philadelphia during the summer of 1776, it was a year later, on June 14, 1777, that the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution officially adopting the first design of the flag for the fledgling United States.
“It’s a day to honor our flag that is known worldwide as a symbol of freedom and independence.”
One hundred years later, Flag Day was established to observe the centennial of the Stars and Stripes. It wasn’t until 1916, however, that President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation for this day to be celebrated across the nation and in 1949, Flag Day was formally signed into law.
For more than 100 years, the Daughters of the American Revolution have been celebrating Flag Day around the country. For these descendants of patriots who aided in the Revolutionary War, this annual observance is an opportunity to promote patriotism and commemorate the principles upon which the United States was founded.
“It’s a day to honor our flag that is known worldwide as a symbol of freedom and independence,” said Beth Conard, a Midway volunteer since 2017 and a member of the Linares Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in San Diego. “Setting aside a specific day to give respect to the flag shows everyone we still believe in and are proud of the dream our ancestors risked their reputations, prosperity and lives for during the Revolutionary War.”
With help of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with the acclaimed Mountain Fifes & Drums of Lake Arrowhead, the USS Midway Museum honored the nation’s Stars and Stripes during a Flag Day celebration on the flight deck.
“Performing on the Midway was cool because we were performing on a place where people fought for our country,” said Jema Schmidt, a 12-year-old fifer with the Fifes & Drums. “I hope that people saw us and were inspired by our leadership, responsibility, historical embodiment, musical skill and discipline.”
Mountain Fifes & Drums is an authentic 18th-century military music corps comprised of boys and girls ages 10 to 18 who bring history to life while sharing the stories behind the songs of revolution, the significance of their instruments and the purpose of the period attire. The presentation by this award-winning musical unit on Midway provided a memorable and fitting tribute to our nation’s history and the American flag.
“It is important for Americans to be reminded about Flag Day because flags have always been a part of our culture and country since 1776,” said Evan Valdea, an 18-year-old snare drummer with the Fifes & Drums. “Flags have played many roles, but as people forget the history of these flags, we forget our heritage, our culture and our pride in our great nation. That is why we should always remember our flags and the past so that we can honor the fallen and remember what makes us American.”
While the Fifes & Drums entertained Midway visitors with their performance, Beth, along with 10 other members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, talked to museum guests about the importance of and the meaning behind Old Glory, and passed out flag lapel pins to military veterans visiting Midway that day.
“Everyone that participated had such a great time,” said Beth, who’s fifth great grandfather was a private in Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War. “One of our members said it was the best Flag Day ever.”
Both groups enjoyed the opportunity to share the Flag Day celebration with museum guests aboard Midway.
“My hopes for any of the guests who heard us was that they enjoyed our performance,” said Eleanor Valdez, a 13-year-old fifer with the Fifes & Drums. “I also hope that they perhaps went home with a little bit of history and pride for their country.”
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