“Memorial Day is a national awareness and solemn remembrance day for revering those who have gone before us,” said Maj. Gen. JB Vowell, commander of USARJ.

“It is a day for us to honor the military men and women who gave their lives in defense of our great nation, its values and its freedom.”

Memorial Day got me thinking about the flag and how it has changed both graphicly and in what it stands for over the years.

We’ve come a long way, and we are still evolving (one can hope, anyway).

– showallegiance.com

There seem to be countless variations displayed in front of people’s homes across the country. Different flags for different folks.

Loving this house with the flag.

If you want to take a real deep dive into the flag (like over 3,000 flag artifacts deep) check out this book. Everything from moccasins to a “friendship” kimono.

Americana at its best

DID YOU KNOW…

Memorial Day was originally called DECORATION DAY, from an early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags. The first national observance of this holiday occured in 1868.

Photo by John Moore

Photo from Jeremiah Young, owner of Stapleton Gallery in Billings, Montana, it was a irca 1913 photo of his Stapleton Building – home to both the gallery and Young’s interior design business, draped in red, white and blue bunting that sparked the idea for a recent show.

Below are a few works from his idea for a new show.

Many Paths, Judd Thompson

The Bull, Judd Thompson

Memorial Day got me thinking about the flag and how Americans display a wide array of flags in front of their homes.

Everything from Black Lives Matter to LGBTQ adnd BIPOC inclusive flags.

Is that the case in your neighborhood?

The heated social and political dialogues playing out in so many cities and towns around the country (marches, riots) have emboldened people  or in some cases hindered people’s rights to display their own versions of what they might like the flag to represent.

– Phivestargoods on Etsy

I see the hanging of flags and signs as a healthy dialogue that is happening in our neighborhoods, which is much more complex than just two political parties’ agendas. It is a form of expression playing out throughout the country in a very visual way. To me, it is refreshing and colorful and indicative of an awareness and support for the diversity and inclusion of others.

XOXO,

SUZANNE