CHAPTER 520
STATE OF DELAWARE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, Old Glory has been the emblem of our unity and the symbol of our determination to remain a free people for one hundred and eighty-nine years; and
Whereas, to those less fortunate in other parts of the world, the American Flag, and the proud Nation it represents, stands as a beacon of hope for all those who are oppressed, for all those who desire the freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy; and
Whereas, this banner, with its thirteen alternate stripes of red and white and its field of blue with a star for each state, was officially adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777; and
Whereas, tradition has it that this same banner, stitched together by the inspired fingers of Betsy Ross, was first unfurled in land battle at Cooch's Bridge, Delaware, in early September, 1777; and
Whereas, thousands of Delaware's sons through succeeding generations have since followed the emblem of our unity, strength and ideals, and many have perished in the effort to keep it aloft; and
Whereas, the first star of that Flag represents Delaware, symbolizing our position as "The First State"; and
Whereas, National Flag Week, which is being observed from June 12th through 18th, offers us another opportunity to reaffirm our allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands and to pledge anew that it shall always proudly wave as the symbol of "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all";
Now, therefore, I, Charles L. Terry, Jr., Governor of Delaware, do hereby proclaim June 14th as
NATIONAL FLAG DAY
and the week of June 12th through 18th, 1968, as
NATIONAL FLAG WEEK
in Delaware and urge all Delawareans to display the American Flag daily during National Flag Week. This display of our national emblem and the staging of appropriate ceremonies will give visible evidence of our loyalty to this great Nation and to all that the Stars and Stripes symbolizes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Charles L. Terry, Jr., Governor of the State of Delaware, have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the said State to be hereunto affixed at Dover this 2nd day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and ninety-second.
(GREAT SEAL)
CHARLES L. TERRY, JR., Governor
Attest: ELISHA C. DUKES, Secretary of State