June 25th? Well, it's Croatian Independence Day!

This is the time of year most Americans begin thinking about putting up their national flags in the front yard and celebrating their brave forefathers who would nowadays be called “terrorists”, including even George Washington, first President and Father of the Country. (After all, didn’t they indiscriminately burn down the homes of British loyalists during the Revolutionary War, murdering countless innocents in the process to justify a noble end, freedom?)  Yes, I’m speaking about the Fourth of July, Independence Day, one of the biggest holidays in the United States.  Everyone brings out the flag, „Old Glory“, the „Stars and Stripes“, and posts it prominently in the front yard, the mailbox, a flagpole on the house, or a car window.  To be fair, after the events of 9-11, many Americans fly the flag all year around, in order to make a statement, defiant and patriotic, that nobody and nothing will bring America to its knees.  After all, the flag is the most potent symbol of common history, traditions, and beliefs; in short, one’s identity:.  I am an American and this is my flag! 

The importance of the flag was realized long ago, when, in 1877, the first „Flag Day“ was observed, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the official U.S. flag.  At that time, Congress asked that the flag be flown on all public buildings every year on June 14.  In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson  proclaimed the day a „national celebration“, and later, in 1949, President Harry Truman actually signed the National Flag Day Bill.  In 1996, President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation declaring U.S. Flag day law , saying that „there is no better symbol of our country's values and traditions than the Flag of the United States…it continues to exemplify the profound commitments to freedom, equality, and opportunity made by our founders more than two centuries ago.“

Imagine my surprise when, just the other day, I learned that President Josipovic and Premier Kosor will issue, on June 25, 2010, a joint „Croatian Independence Day“ proclamation about the proud Croatian barjak, inspired, no doubt, by the inspiring words and actions of other esteemed leaders throughout history.  This is the text:

„Proclamation:  The Croatian Flag graces classrooms, statehouses, courtrooms, and churches, serving as a daily reminder of this Nation's past accomplishments and ongoing dedication to safeguarding individual rights. The brave members of our Armed Forces carry the flag with them as they fulfill their mission to defend the blessings of democracy and peace across the globe; our banner flies from public buildings as a sign of our national community; and its folds drape the tombs of our distinguished dead. The Flag is a badge of honor to all -- a sign of our citizens' common purpose….this week and all year round, let us do all we can to teach younger generations the significance of our Flag. Its red, white, and blue represent…the courage and purity of our Nation, while the “coat of arms” stands for… the separate but united regions of our country.  Let us pledge allegiance to this Flag to declare our patriotism and raise its colors high to express our pride and respect for the Croatian way of life.

Now, Therefore, I, Ivo Josipovic, President of the Republic of Croatia, and Jadranka Kosor, Premier of the Republic of Croatia, do hereby proclaim June 18 as Croatian Flag Day, to be celebrated the entire week leading up to Croatian Independence Day on June 25 of every year. We direct the appropriate officials to display the Flag on all Federal Government buildings during that week, and urge all Croatians to observe Flag Day and Independence Day by flying the Croatian flag from their homes and other suitable places.

We also call upon the people of the Croatia to observe with pride and all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, as a time to honor our Nation, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly sing the national hymn to the Flag of the Republic of Croatia.”

Imagine hearing these words ringing out from Banski Dvori, from Pantovcak:  observe with pride and honor the day that symbolizes the bravery, commitment, and heroism of those who fought and died for Croatian freedom, hang high the flag that symbolizes that dearly-won freedom, from every flagpole, and window, and car, and government building!  

Dear readers, is it not to be, at least not yet, because, these are, unfortunately, the somewhat altered words of President Bill Clinton from his moving 1996 proclamation.  Instead of a government proclamation, we have confusion from Croatians and citizens of the Republic of Croatia.  When is Independence Day?  How about state hood day? It used to be in May, some say, but I think it is in July, or is it June?  How can we celebrate a date we can’t even remember?  Why were they changed in the first place?  And who asked us?  If one cannot remember the date of his country’s independence, it is impossible to celebrate and commemorate it, which may have been the intention of those who, with a careless stroke of a pen, (some say Ivo Skrabalo’s) moved them around on a calendar until they were satisfied and said “that’s it!”  Makes it easier for the globalists and speculators, doesn’t it, because a country without celebrations of its independence, fought and won with the “blood, sweat, and tears” of its citizens, is dying, and a country without heroes is already dead.  But enough of this.  .  It’s time to search for the flag.  I know it’s here somewhere, in that top cupboard, a dresser drawer, a box in the closet…

Happy Croatian Independence Day,

JUNE 25,2010