Field of Flags 2021 Speech at the Harold D. Fayette School

“What is America to me?
A name, a map or a Flag I see,
A certain word democracy,
What is America to me?”

These words come from the beginning of the song The House I Live In, which was written in 1943 with lyrics by Abel Meeropol and music by Earl Robinson. This became a patriotic anthem during World War II and a favorite song of Frank Sinatra.

On June 14, 1777 Continental Congress “Resolved, that the Flag of the Thirteen United States shall be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”

The 50 five pointed stars on the current national flag of the United States of America (or the American flag) represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that rebelled against the British monarchy and became the first states in the union.

During the War of 1812, Fort McHenry was made ready to defend Baltimore. The Fort’s commanding officer, Major George Armistead desired “to have a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty in seeing it from a distance.” In 1813 he ordered a garrison flag (42 feet by 30 feet) and a smaller storm flag (25 feet by 17 feet) for the Fort. At that time it was the practice to add one star and stripe for each new state which joined the union. In 1814, the United States flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes.

On a rainy September 13, 1814, British warships sent a downpour of rockets and shells for 25 hours onto Fort McHenry, which became known as the Battle of Baltimore. Seeing the flag still flying over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write a poem which was later set to music and in 1931 became America’s national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Read more: Field of Flags 2021 Speech at the Harold D. Fayette School

• In Memoriam

In Memoriam - Dino W. DeGasperi

Dino W. DeGasperi

March 4 , 1931 to May 12, 2021

On Wednesday, May 15, 2021, Post Member, Dino W. DeGasperi, passed away and reported to Post Everlasting. Dino W. DeGasperi was a good man and he was involved with many organizations. Namely, Cure of Ars, Roman Catholic Church and of course, Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion. He was a valuable asset to our Post and will be greatly missed.

American Legion, Merrick Post No.1282 members, please gather at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at N.F. Walkers funeral home in Merrick, N.Y. for an American Legion solemn ceremony at 7:00 p.m. for Post member Dino W. Degasperi.

Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion members, please gather, in full dress, at 10:30 a.m. at the Cure of Ars, Roman Catholic Church for an 11:00 a.m. Funeral Mass for Post Member Dino W. DeGasperi, on Wednesday, May 19, 2021.

Read more: In Memoriam - Dino W. DeGasperi

Veteran Employment Opportunity

Employer is looking for veterans to work part time to assemble kits at a local warehouse in Oceanside N.Y.

See the following link for more information.

Here is the following contact information:

Ben Lido, President

Convenience Kits International Ltd
3401 Lawson Blvd
Oceanside, New York 11572

Phone#: 1-800-255-5436
www.facebook.com/conveniencekits
www.conveniencekits.com