Flag Day Keynote Address
June 11, 2011
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your program. It is an honor to be your keynote
speaker for this, the 35th anniversary of the Flag Day celebration in San Leandro. Of course, we
have Martin Francis to thank for starting the tradition 35 years ago of bringing our community
together to honor our nation’s flag for Flag Day.
And, we thank the San Leandro Optimists Club and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 819 for
hosting and organizing today’s program. John Duarte, VFW Post 819 Post Commander, has
really pulled the event together. And, of course, thanks to City staff for their work on this
program.
Many of you may well know more than I do about Flag Day; certainly we know that Martin
Francis is our “de facto” flag expert in San Leandro. However, permit me to give you some
history about this important day in our nation and why we celebrate our flag each year.
95 years ago, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14th to be national Flag Day
as the United States was approaching entry into World War I. That date was adopted to
commemorate June 14, 1777, when the “Stars and Stripes” became the flag of our nation. In
1777, of course, our flag held only 13 stars, representing the original 13 states.
On that day in 1777, the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress adopted a
resolution that gave birth to our national flag. That resolution read:
"it is Resolved, that the flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes, alternate red
and white; (and) that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new
constellation."
About 100 miles down the road from where that declaration was made, the popular story of
our first flag has its roots. Betsy Ross was a seamstress in Philadelphia. Of course, Philadelphia
was home to the Continental Congress and an important political center of the colonies.
The legend describes that request was given to her by General George Washington, and other
representatives, to sew our first flag. It is said that the design most likely came from Francis
Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress, and signer of the Declaration of
Independence.
The “Star-Spangled Banner” is actually the name for a particular flag which was constructed
during the War of 1812. This large flag – which measures 30’ by 40’ – still flies over Fort
McHenry, where, after a long night of battle it inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that
became the U.S. national anthem.
Mary Pickersgill started sewing the original Star-Spangled Banner in her home in Baltimore,
Maryland. When it came time to lay out the giant flag so she could sew on the then 15 stars,
she found that her house wasn’t large enough. A nearby brewery gave her the use of their
empty malt room, where she finished the flag.
If you already knew all those facts, then you are a Vexillologist – an expert in the history of
flags.
From the first Flag Day in 1916, fast forward 95 years – through two World wars, the Korean
and Vietnam Wars, the Gulf War in the early 1990s, and several other military actions in which
our nation has played a role – to this day in 2011, when we find our nation embroiled in the
continuing war in the Middle East. Our flag has stood for our nation’s pride and perseverance.
But it is not just in military actions where the U.S. flag can be found. Throughout history, in
countless disasters and humanitarian aid missions, teams of American citizens, non-profit
agencies, and relief organizations have responded to nations throughout the world to provide
rescue and medical resources and recovery support. The most notable of these agencies is the
American Red Cross, which, I am proud to say, is a partner in San Leandro’s own disaster
response and recovery planning.
Other nations, upon seeing our flag approaching, know one of two things – help is on the way;
or join us or get out of our way because we’re coming to the aid of others in need.
Our flag is not just a piece of fabric – it represents freedom, democracy, unity, and pride in our
nation. It is one of the most respected symbols in the world. It flies on virtually every public
building in our community – at schools, post offices, fire stations, community centers. In fact,
the one flying here today at the Senior Community Center flew on the Capitol building in
Washington, D.C. and came to us compliments of Congressman Pete Stark. Our flag sits atop
Mount Everest, and is flown at every baseball, soccer and football stadium in the country. It
even stands on the surface of the moon.
Today, the three colors of red, white and blue serve to represent a nation filled with racial,
religious and political diversity. The American flag stands as an enduring symbol of the rights of
everyone in this nation to embrace and celebrate their diversity. As Mayor of San Leandro, I
am proud that we are one of the most diverse communities in California.
Every time we salute the flag, it should remind us of our nation’s founders and heroes – those
who have given their lives to protect America and Americans – and remind us of those who
serve and protect us today, as well as those who will protect us tomorrow to insure that our
flag will fly freely and proudly.
President Wilson said:
"Things that the flag stands for were created by the experiences of a great people.
Everything that it stands for was written by their lives. The flag is the embodiment; not
of sentiment but of history. It represents the experiences made by men and women;
the experiences of those who die and live, under the flag."
Every day, on American bases and posts all around the world, our men and women in military
service stop what they are doing twice a day while the colors are raised in the morning and
lowered in the evening. We should think of them and thank them whenever we say the Pledge
of Allegiance.
I urge you all to fly our American flag proudly.
Thank you again for allowing me to be part of today’s ceremony and for letting me help
celebrate our great flag.
Before I step down, I would like to ask Martin Francis to come up to accept a special
presentation from the City Council.
Martin has lived in San Leandro for 50 years now, and for all of those 50 years he has tirelessly
dedicated his life to the history of our nation’s flag. He has done more to bring honor to and
respect for our flag than anyone else I know in San Leandro.
Therefore, the City Council and I, by official City Resolution, have not only proclaimed June 14,
2011 as Martin A. Francis day in San Leandro, but we have also named Martin A. Francis San
Leandro’s Official Vexillologist, which, again, is an expert in the history of flags.
Congratulations, Martin.