Show support for your cause with ribbons

June 25, 2007

Support your cause and increase awareness by wearing a ribbon or putting a ribbon magnet on your car.

Black Ribbon
The black ribbon is to show your support for melanoma cancer patients and Sleep Disorders, Mourning, anti gangs, POW-MIAs.

Blue Ribbon
Blue ribbons are associated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Hurricane Support, Arthritis, Child Abuse Prevention, Colon Cancer, Education, Free Speech, Reye’s Syndrome, Teens Against Smoking, Crime Victim’s Rights, School Violence, Police officers lost in the line of duty, water safety (drowning and accidents).

Pink Ribbon
A pink ribbon is to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness, Birth Parents, cleft palate.

Purple Ribbon
Purple ribbons are worn to show support for Alzheimer’s disease, Fibromyalgia, ADHD, Lupus and cystic fibrosis, Domestic Violence, Pancreatic Cancer, colitis, animal abuse, religious tolerance, the victims of 9/11 (includes police and firefighters), the homeless, end horse slaughter campaign.

Red Ribbon
Red ribbons are associated with AIDS and HIV, heart disease and substance abuse, DARE, DUI, Lymphoma, MADD, hypertension, Pro-Life.

White Ribbon
White ribbons support diabetes and retinoblastoma. Bone Cancer, General Hope and Support, Peace, Anti Child Exploitation, victims of terrorism, Right to life, adoption, postpartum depression, men working to end men’s violence against women, anti-child pornography on the internet, carbon monoxide poisoning.

Yellow Ribbon
Yellow ribbons represent bladder and testicular cancer, liver disease, hydrocephalus, suicide prevention, Down’s syndrome and hope. Amber Alert and Missing Children, POW/MIA, Spina Bifida, Military Support, boycott Aruba (hope for Natalee)

Leave a Comment » | American History | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Lexi the Vexillologist

Flag Day – 225th Birthday of the US Flag

June 14, 2007
Display Your US Flag

Display Your US Flag

June 14 is Flag Day! This year, it marks the 225th birthday of the US Flag! It may seem like just another day to you, but it’s a great chance to learn a little about US history, and to take the time to get to know a little about flags from other countries, too! Sorry, but most people don’t get out of school and work for Flag Day. In Pennsylvania though, it is an official state holiday.

On June 14, 1777, the United States Continental Congress officially declared the Stars and Stripes the US flag. Then, one hundred years later, public buildings started displaying the flag to recognize the 100th Birthday of the US Flag.

But what’s cool is that it was mostly one guy, a schoolteacher in Wisconsin, who started the idea that everybody should celebrate Flag Day. In 1885, B.J. Cigrand had the kids in his school observe Flag Day, or, as he called it, Flag Birthday. The idea caught on, and soon more teachers had their students celebrate Flag Day with special activities.

It wasn’t until 1916 that Flag Day was officially named as a holiday. And it wasn’t until 1949 that the National Flag Day bill was signed.

Flag Day also marks the middle of the Patriotic holidays. It starts with Memorial Day and ends with Independence Day. You can keep American flags and flag motif up through most of the summer with the holidays falling one after the other.

Leave a Comment » | American History | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Lexi the Vexillologist

The Use of Military Flags

June 10, 2007

The use of military flags goes back hundreds of years, but it was probably in the Middle Ages that it became popular for warriors to carry flags with them into battle. When soldiers were all dressed up in their suits of armor it was difficult to tell who was who, so the introduction of military flags in battle was basically to let you know who your friends and enemies were.

As time progressed most of the world’s Armed Forces had their own individual flags designed for them. There are flags that represent each branch of the military, the navy or army etc. as a whole. Then there are flags that represent different Brigades, divisions, squadrons, officers and more within each of those branches. There are literally dozens of military flags including ones for the Military Police, Army bands, and Military Chapel.

The United States has flags for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard; with the Army, Navy and Marine Corps flags being first created in 1775. These flags have been flown and used in every battle the US has fought, even during the country’s own civil war.

Another US military flag that is quite popular is the POW MIA flag, which symbolizes American prisoners of war and all those who have gone missing in action. The flag was created in 1971, by a former World War II pilot, and although it grew from the Vietnam War it has come to represent all of those missing in action, back to World War II; a group of almost 90,000 people.

The US also has a military flag which represents all of its armed forces. There is also a Service Star Flags/Banner which is flown by the families of people serving in the forces during times of war.

Leave a Comment » | Flag Facts, Military Flags & History | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Lexi the Vexillologist