Flag Day 2017

U.S. Flag Flying Over

American Cemetery 

Normandy, France

June 14th is Flag Day. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14, 1916, to be a national celebration of the American flag, and the 1949 Congress declared June 14 to be national Flag Day every year. This day commemorates the day the Second Continental Congress authorized the United States of America to adopt a flag to represent the new nation.

We've traveled all over the world and there is nothing better than seeing an American flag while overseas.   This particular image was captured in Normandy, France.   However, we were no longer in France, but on American soil.

 On June 8, 1944, the U.S. First Army established the temporary cemetery, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. After the war, the present-day cemetery was established a short distance to the east of the original site.

Like all other overseas American cemeteries in France for World War I and II, France has granted the United States a special, perpetual concession to the land occupied by the cemetery, free of any charge or any tax. This cemetery is managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission, a small independent agency of the U.S. federal government, under Congressional acts that provide yearly financial support for maintaining them, with most military and civil personnel employed abroad. The U.S. flag flies over these granted soils.

God Bless the USA this Flag Day

"God Bless The USA" - Lee Greenwood

 If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife
I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA

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Coming to America

America in Images

We participated in two Twitter chats, #FriFotos &  #travelpics, that centered around America, which was quite fitting with the 4th of July holiday.

These images were captured during one of our cruises out of New York.   Just imagine what the immigrants who were coming to America thought as they saw Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. 

Statue of Liberty

On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated.  It was later designated as a National Monument in 1924, restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986, and in 2011, underwent a renovation of the 125 year old pedestal and the 200 year old fort base from which the statue rises.

A gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States... The Statue of Liberty is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy.

 

 Sailing in or out of NY Harbor is something you should put on your bucket list if you haven't already done so.  Some cruises that you could select include trans-Atlantic voyages, Bermuda, and Canada / New England itineraries.

 

What Images of America come to your mind?

 

If you like Travel & Photography join us each Friday for #FriFotos and on Monday for #Travelpics!

Follow #FriFotos on Twitter and Facebook

Follow us on Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

For some thoughts on the 4th of July, see our previous blog post:

Land of the Free Because of the Brave

Passport Day March 27th

Planning travel outside the United States?

First, plan to get your passport. 

U.S. Department of State will  be open on a Saturday to get you started. 

On Saturday, March 27 only, you will not need an appointment to apply for a U.S. passport at a regional passport agency. You will be able to apply for either routine processing or pay an additional $60 for expedited processing.  All passport agencies will be open and accepting passport book and passport card applications from 10 am to 3 pm .   Press Release

Passport-themed events for adults and children will take place at regional passport agencies and thousands of passport acceptance facilities around the country. If you’ve been waiting to apply for your U.S. passport, this is the time. Apply on Passport Day in the USA 2010!    Passport Day Locations

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative

Canada, Bermuda, Mexico and the Caribbean (17 nations) fall under the WHTI.

WHTI-compliant documents described are acceptable for entry or re-entry into the United States. You may be required to present additional or different travel documents when entering foreign countries, including countries in the Western Hemisphere.   Before you travel, make sure you know the entry requirements of the country you plan to visit. See Country Specific Information for more information on the country you are traveling to.

Related Blog Posts

New Passport Rules Starting June 1st - Are You Ready (March 2009)

Reminder New Passport Rules Effective June 1st (May 2009)

Important Information - Land and Sea Travel (January 2008)


My Advice - Travel with Valid Passport

If you read all the rules and regulations, you may find that for your particular travel plans, you can "get away" without a passport.  For example, a closed-loop cruise does not require a passport for sea transportation.   However, should you find yourself needing to return home by air,  you could now be faced with a problem since air travel has a different set of rules.

Also note that passports must be valid for 6 Months after the end of your trip (in most cases).