Monday, June 11, 2012

Flag Day, Not Romantic?


Old Glory.  Star Spangled Banner.  Stars and Stripes.  These names are frequently used to identify the United States flag.  This coming Thursday is Flag Day.  Inspired by three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day—the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777—was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916.  It’s a little known holiday, just flies under the radar with very little pomp and circumstance.  Sometimes it gets a line on a calendar.  It never gets any mention by Hallmark.  No Flag Day sales at any of the big box stores or car sales lots.  But I’m here today to be the champion for that uncelebrated holiday.  We need to put it on the map, make it romantic.

But how can you make Flag Day romantic?  Well, you could always have the hero and heroine meet at a community picnic on Flag Day.  But that’s taking the easy way out. 

As an historical editor, this holiday is more about the soul that embodies the sacrifices and commitment of the American people.  This is the spirit that built a nation.  The passion that held it together.  And the love stories readers should never forget. 
I would love to see more American Rose submissions to personify this great time period:  The French and Indian War, Colonial America, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Reconstruction era, and the dawn of the new century. 

American Rose stories are for those who long for the courageous heroes and heroines who fought for their freedom and settled the new world—all for their country, their love, and their flag.
Flag Day not romantic?  My parents were married on June 14, 1944.  My dad would always tease my mom that he got married on that day so he could remember their anniversary.  My mother would always say, “Don’t you remember what day it is?”  My father would always reply, “Yes, it’s Flag Day.”    He would smile, and she would get a twinkle in her eye.    You betcha, Flag Day is romantic.

1 comment:

NicDarienzo said...

I've always had a fondness for Flag Day. The grammar school my son attends does an outdoor concert every year on Flag Day, and it's one of my favorite of the school year celebrations. Just as we do for other flag flying holidays, we line our drive with miniature flags and wear our red, white and blue proudly.

I'm with you on championing the American historical, I love our Regencies, but there's so much rich history right here in the US, so much bravery and passion that went into building this country and keeping it together. There's lots of fertile ground here for romance!

And I think Flag Day would be a very romantic day to celebrate a wedding!