The 67th annual Appleton Flag Day Parade will be a tribute to the United States Coast Guard and feature the theme “United We Stand” to celebrate the community, family traditions and respect for the US national flag.
What Is the Flag Day Parade?
Appleton has been honoring Flag Day since 1950 and is recognized for the nation’s oldest Flag Day Parade. The parade sets aside time to celebrate and appreciate the freedom each citizen in the United States is given and to honor veterans for their service. The parade often features more than 100 units displaying patriotic themes. Units consist of veterans’ organizations, scout troops, animals, patriotic floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles, and walking units. The parade is designed to produce a first-class display of patriotism and to entertain spectators.
What Is Flag Day and How Did the Parade Begin?
Flag Day, also known as Flag Birthday, was first initiated by President Thomas Woodrow Wilson in 1916 when he made a Proclamation declaring the 14th of June Flag Day. President Wilson declared this date because in 1777, “Old Glory” was adopted as the United States national symbol by the 2nd Continental Congress. Following this, in 1945, the United States of America achieved victory in World War II allowing the “Great Generation” to settle back in and go to work. Shortly after this victory, President Harry S. Truman strengthened Wilson's Proclamation by signing an Act of Congress in 1949, officially recognizing June 14 as Flag Day. This same year, the Appleton Elks Club decided the best way they could honor the flag was with a celebratory parade. The Elks, many of whom were WWII veterans themselves, wanted citizens who lived in the United States to be proud of where they are from while appreciating the freedom they are given – so the Flag Day Parade was commenced.
Community Impact
The Flag Day Parade has evolved into a huge event drawing more than 60,000 spectators annually and hundreds of participants from all over Northeastern Wisconsin. These spectators and participants come to honor not only the flag, but to thank veterans for their service, and to cherish the memories of a job well done during World War II. Each year, the parade pays tribute to a different service and honors the many faces of freedom. The Appleton Flag Day Parade is recognized as the nation’s oldest Flag Day parade, and it continues to grow each year.
Pierce’s Involvement
Pierce has been proudly supporting the Appleton Flag Day Parade for many years by distributing thousands of flags to spectators before the parade; bringing volunteers to assist at and participate in the parade; and hanging Old Glory above Wisconsin Street to be honored throughout the parade. Pierce is honored to be the official Flag sponsor and plans to continue to participate in the parade for many years to come.
Join Us at the Flag Day Parade
The 2017 Appleton Flag Day Parade will be on June 10th at 2:00 PM starting on the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Oneida Street going down State Street and finishing on the corner of College Avenue and Drew Street.
To get you in the Flag Day spirit, take a look at how customers have incorporated the stars and stripes into recent apparatus deliveries!
- Pueblo Fire Department - 'Home of Heroes' stars and stripes pumper
- Hurricane Valley Fire Special Service District - American flag boom panel
- Parsippany Troy Hills Fire District 5 - American flag boom panel lettering
- Millbrook Fire Department – Waving American flag body graphic