​Reminders from Our Flag
for Friday, July 6, 2018
... a #FlagDayFriday and #NeverForgottenFriday...

​On this #FlagDayFriday, we recommend that your school perform a ...
pre-Pledge Tribute

Today's Star-Spangled Inspiration
... is a quote from Daniel Webster, former Secretary of State (1841-43, 1850-52)
"Let it be borne on the flag under which we rally in every exigency, that we have one country, one constitution, one destiny."

Today's Flag Status  ​
Across the USA, Our Flag flies at full staff except in New York.
[Note: Special State Flag half-staff status in PA.]

In New York, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed that flags (US & State Flags) be flown at half-staff in honor of New York State Police Trooper Nicholas F. Clark, who died in the line of duty today in Steuben County. They will be lowered until Trooper Clark's funeral on July 8. 
[Note:  In Pennsylvania, their Commonwealth / State Flag is half-staff on the Capitol Complex and throughout the City of Philadelphia to honor Philadelphia Fire Department member Lt. Benny Hutchins - until his interment on July 11.

​​THIS WEEK'S #NeverForgottenFriday HONOREE
<  America's newest Medal of Honor recipient - 73 years overdue >

[ U.S. Army 1st Lt Conner, now considered the second most decorated soldier from WWII, receiving Distinguished Service Cross ]

​Thankfully, there are no new fallen combatants to report this week from the Global War on Terror.  

So, this week we're celebrating America's most recent Medal of Honor recipient, U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Garlin M. Conner.
World War II hero, 1st Lieutenant Garlin Conner of Kentucky, finally got his Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second-highest decoration for valor, upgraded to the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions against more than 600 Nazis on January 24, 1945, as an Intel Officer fighting in France.
CLICK HERE to read the Military Times article about the long, arduous path and process to his military decoration upgrade

U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Garlin Conner's Medal of Honor citation states:

On the morning of January 24, 1945, near the town of Houssen, France, German forces ferociously counterattacked the front left flank of the 7th Infantry Regiment with 600 infantry troops, six Mark VI tanks, and tank destroyers. Lieutenant Conner, having recently returned to his unit after recovering from a wound received in an earlier battle, was working as the Intelligence Officer in the 3d Battalion Command Post at the time of the attack. Understanding the devastating effect that the advancing enemy armor could have on the Battalion, Lieutenant Conner immediately volunteered to run straight into the heart of the enemy assault to get to a position from which he could direct friendly artillery on the advancing enemy forces. With complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Conner maneuvered 400 yards through enemy artillery fire that destroyed trees in his path and rained shrapnel all around him, while unrolling telephone wire needed to communicate with the Battalion command post. Upon reaching the Battalion’s front line, he continued to move forward under the enemy assault to a position 30 yards in front of the defending United States forces, where he plunged into a shallow ditch that provided minimal protection from the advancing enemy’s heavy machine gun and small arms fire. With rounds impacting all around him, Lieutenant Conner calmly directed multiple fire missions, adjusting round after round of artillery from his prone position, until the enemy was forced to halt its advance and seek cover behind a nearby dike. For three hours, Lieutenant Conner remained in this compromised position, enduring the repeated onslaught of German infantry which, at one point, advanced to within five yards of his position. As German infantry regrouped and began to mass in an overwhelming assault, Lieutenant Conner ordered friendly artillery to concentrate directly on his own position, having resolved to die if necessary to destroy the enemy advance. Ignoring the friendly artillery shells blanketing his position and exploding mere feet from him, Lieutenant Conner continued to direct artillery fire on the enemy assault swarming around him until the German attack was finally broken. By his heroism and disregard for his own life, Lieutenant Conner stopped the enemy advance. The artillery he expertly directed, while under constant enemy fire, killed approximately fifty German soldiers and wounded an estimated one hundred more, preventing what would have undoubtedly been heavy friendly casualties. His actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.

TODAY'S HISTORICAL REMINDER:
< Abbott & Costello's 'Who's On First?' >

[ Abbott (left and Costello (right) = YouTube media image ]

On this date (OTD), July 6, 1945, Abbott and Costello perform what most consider their best version of their 'Who's on First?' comedy routine.  It was performed in a movie called the 'Naughty Nineties.'  In 1999, Time magazine called 'Who's on First?' the Best Comedy Sketch of the 20th Century.

​​Thanks for reviewing today's 'Reminders for Our Flag'
- a service from the Flag Steward program

​​Now go 'Be a good citizen' today by ... 
... picking up and disposing of 2 pieces of trash that will help
keep America beautiful !!!

​In God We Trust
(Official motto of the United States of America)
​###################​