Reflecting on the significance of the flag a couple days in advance, the former President had these stirring thoughts to offer on Friday, June 12, 1931,

“National Flag Day has been observed for some years by official direction on June 14. It is the anniversary of the adoption by the Congress of the flag of the United States. We do honor to the Stars and Stripes as the emblem of our country and the symbol of all that our patriotism means.

     “The stars and the red, white and blue colors have a significance of their own, but when combined and arranged into the flag of our nation they take on a new significance which no other form or color can convey. We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on earth. It represents our peace and security, our civil and political liberty, our freedom of religious worship, our family, our friends, our home. We see in it the great multitude of blessings, of rights and privileges, that make up our country.

     “But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights we must remember that it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty alone. A yearly contemplation of the meaning of our flag strengthens and purifies the national conscience.”

Governor Coolidge raising the flag with members of the Washington Senators team at Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. General Clarence R. Edwards and others stand with salute.