Today we begin our kick-off of an important holiday event. No, we’re not referring to Lief Erikson day. That is October 9th (36 USC Sec. 114). We are speaking, of course, about the bane to California, Honor America Days.
You say that you have never heard of Honor America Days? A search of the web revealed only the City of Rome, N.Y. seems to place any emphasis on this holiday, albeit a few days after the official celebration ends. You have probably never heard of Constitution and Citizenship Day or Law Day either. Thus it seems reasonable to educate you on what official patriotic observances are instituted by federal law.
Patriotic and National Observances, Ceremonies and Organizations are covered in Title 36 Chapter 1 of the United States Code. The “Organic Laws” consists of The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Articles of Confederation and so-on. They can be found here. Title 4 concerns the flag and emblems of the government. I offer the last two references only in observance of the Honor America Days that we are now discussing.
Honor America Days is outlined in 36 USC Section 112 which designates “The 21 days from Flag Day through Independence Day is a period to honor America.” The Statute states that,
“Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.”
This seems to be a great time to spread the word about these 21 days and garner the participation of the people. We are going to do our part by trying to provide 21 days of information for your edification. Unfortunately, we have started this project a little late, so some of the information might be lacking.
Here are some suggestions that might be in line with this national event.
1. Display an American and/or State flag at your home.
2. Watch movies such as The Patriot, Red Dawn and other movies with a patriotic theme. Find videos of a patriotic theme on the web and watch them together with our family once each night.
3. If you are so inclined, gather at your church and pray for forgiveness for America and that we return to the Organic Law of the Constitution of the United States of America. The National Day of Prayer (36 USC Section 119) is on the first Thursday in May, “…on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” It was declared unconstitutional in one federal court. Amazingly, Obama did issue a proclamation for National Prayer Day.
4. Gather the family together and review the Constitution and the important first Ten Amendments known as the Bill of Rights. Note that they are The Bill of Rights and not a few suggestions that we really think that you should consider.
5. Attend a Tea Party or Coffee Party, or whatever, sometime during this period. A parade would not be out of order. Some marching bands with American and State flags waving might be just the distraction. Allow Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, whatever party to participate. Seek participation by military, police and fire heroes.
Since we are on the topic, we thought to start on this first day by covering other important observances indicated by this code.
36 USC Sec. 124 designates February 1 as National Freedom Day. It commemorates the joint resolution of the Senate and House proposing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution signed by Abraham Lincoln of February 1, 1865. This amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime. Since it celebrates the end of slavery, we could reflect on why we are willing to accept slavery today in exchange for the government controlling us from cradle-to-grave.
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On April 13, the President “shall” issue a proclamation to display the American flag at government buildings and invite, “…the people of the United States to observe April 13 in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies in commemoration of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday (36 USC Sec. 141).” In churches? For Thomas Jefferson?
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On The National Day of Prayer (36 USC Sec. 119), “The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.” God is, of course, the Christian God of the Holy Bible.
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Memorial Day is designated by 36 USC Sec. 116 as the last Monday in May is Memorial Day. The President is “requested” to issue a proclamation:
(1) calling on the people of the United States to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace;
(2) designating a period of time on Memorial Day during which the people may unite in prayer for a permanent peace;
(3) calling on the people of the United States to unite in prayer at that time; and
(4) calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and the period of prayer.
A recent poll shows that 50% of Americans view this as the nation’s most important observance.
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Flag Day (36 USC 110), celebrated on June 14, starts Honor America Days which runs until July 4. On Flag Day they are to, of course, display the flag on all government building, but also urge the people of the United States to celebrate the day “…as the anniversary of the adoption on June 14, 1777, by the Continental Congress of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.”
In Conjunction with Flag Day and Honor America Days, 36 USC Sec. 122 designates, “…the week in which June 14 falls as National Flag Week.” and “…calling on citizens to display the flag of the United States during National Flag Week.”
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Constitution and Citizenship Day is observed on September 17 in accordance with 36 USC 106. The day is to, “…commemorate the formation and signing on September 17, 1787, of the Constitution and recognize all who, by coming of age or by naturalization, have become citizens.” State civil and educational authorities of the State, counties, cities and towns are, “…urged to make plans for the proper observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and for the complete instruction of citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the State and locality in which they reside.” Offer void in California or where prohibited by federal courts. Federal funds are supposed to be allocated by each federal agency to provide training material on the Constitution for each employee on this day. Odd that in all of my time in the military, I do not recall receiving training on the Constitution on this day. Keeping in mind the views and decisions by the Supreme Court on topics such as The Bill of Rights, I can probably be thankful that the government did NOT provide me with any such material.
During Constitution Week—the period from September 17 to September 23 (36 USC Section 108)—the President is “requested” to issue a proclamation, “inviting the people of the United States to observe Constitution Week, in schools, churches, and other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
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We do have a holiday that is supposed to occur on the first of May. It does NOT entail dancing around a May Pole or smashing the windows of businesses. It is Law Day. It does, however, seem to have a rather unconstitutional ring to it. It is supposed to be a special day of celebration by the citizens, “in appreciation of their liberties and the reaffirmation of their loyalty to the United States and of their rededication to the ideals of equality and justice under law in their relations with each other and with other countries.” From what other countries should we derive “Ideals of equality and justice?” It is also supposed to cultivate a respect for the law vital to the democratic way of life. Since the founding fathers founded the country on a Constitution that guarantees every State a “Republican” form of government, I find the democratic principles of government much less vital to our way of life. Perhaps it would do for our federal employees to review the Constitution of the United States of America which is the law of the land. Al Franken can, perhaps, loan out his copy.
May 1 is also Loyalty Day (36 usc Sec. 115), a special day for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom. Government offices are to “display the flag,” of course, and the president is “requested” to issue a proclamation, “inviting the people of the United States to observe Loyalty Day with appropriate ceremonies in schools and other suitable places.”
Independence Day does not show up on the list of patriotic observances in Title 36, except as the end of Honor America Days. It is listed as a Federal Holiday in 5 USC Sec. 6103. The other holidays on the list are:
New Year’s Day, January 1.
Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the third Monday in January.
Washington’s Birthday, the third Monday in February.
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.
Independence Day, July 4.
Labor Day, the first Monday in September. (Which was designated to celebrate “unions” as described by the Manifesto of the Communist Party.)
Columbus Day, the second Monday in October.
Veterans Day, November 11.
Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November.
Christmas Day, December 25.
Chapter 3 of this title gives the National anthem, National motto, National floral emblem, National march and National tree.
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Tags: Arizona, Bill of Rights, Constitution, History, Holiday, Honor America Days, Media, News Item
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