By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

Thursday is Flag Day throughout America - a day that commemorates the adoption of the original 13 Stars and Stripes, which occurred June 14 in 1777.

The young men in Dexter’s Boys Scout Troop 200 were out early to place American flags in the Historic Downtown district, as well as on Business Highway 60 in town.

Although President Wilson officially proclaimed it as "Flag Day" in summer of 1949, it is not what is known as an official federal holiday.

According to the Defense Department, ten Navy ships, including USS Fort McHenry, are commemorating Flag Day today at the site of the historic War of 1812 battle 200 years ago that inspired the National Anthem.

Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will take part in Flag Day events at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, the star-shaped fortress that endured what’s become one of the most remembered engagements of the war.

On the night of Sept. 13, 1814, British ships in Baltimore harbor bombarded the outgunned U.S. resistance at the fort for 25 solid hours. Francis Scott Key, a civilian lawyer who was sent to Baltimore to negotiate an American hostage’s release, found himself in a front-row seat to the battle aboard a British ship.

As dawn broke the following morning, Key stood on the ship’s deck, amazed to see the U.S. flag still flapping in the breezes over the battered fort. He was so moved that he penned the poem that became the lyrics of the National Anthem.

The Navy ships in Baltimore are part of a flotilla making its way up the Eastern Seaboard to mark the bicentennial of the war that historians say marked the dawn of U.S. naval power.

Eighteen tall ships, including the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, and navy vessels from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and Norway are accompanying the Navy gray hulls in the “Star Spangled Sailabration.”

The flotilla spent 12 days in Norfolk before arriving today in Baltimore for a week of activities including a tall ship parade, an air show by the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, fireworks and a parachute jump into Camden Yards.

Flag Etiquette

Federal law stipulates much of flag etiquette, which is often called the Flag Code. Some of the general guidelines to properly display the American flat are listed below

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
• The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Photo above: The American Flag flags in the early orning sunlight along Stoddard Street in Historic Downtown Dexter. (ShowMe Times photo by Annabeth Miller)

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

WASHINGTON – The primary agriculture tool of the Federal government – the Farm Bill – is currently on the agenda of lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and Southeast Missouri’s member of the U.S. House of Representative will hear area farmers and producers at a forum in the Bootheel this week.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R- Cape Girardeau, will hear from local producers at a forum in New Madrid County devoted to the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization.  The meeting will be at 3 p.m., Thursday, June 14 at the Delta Center near Portageville.

“Our producers have a lot riding on the policies enacted in the Farm Bill. When I’m advocating for Southern Missouri in these debates, the personal stories I share are always the most effective,” Emerson said. “My colleagues who have never been to a farm or ranch can really benefit from hearing the point of view of hardworking folks in Southern Missouri when they make important decisions on U.S. agriculture.  This is where our national food supply comes from.”

• WHO: U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson
• WHAT: Forum on the 2012 Farm Bill Reauthorization
• WHEN: Thursday, June 14 at 3 p.m.
• WHERE: The Delta Center, Hwy T, Portageville

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is cracking down on drunken drivers, but this time it's those driving boats on the state's waterways.

The Water Patrol Division announced Monday it will participate in Operation Dry Water, a national campaign in which marine law enforcement officers from across the country coordinate special patrols during the last weekend in June to achieve a high visibility of boating under the influence enforcement. Troopers will focus their efforts over the weekend of June 22-24, 2012, to detect and apprehend intoxicated operators. 

Missouri boat operators found to have a blood alcohol content of .08% will be arrested for boating while intoxicated, the patrol reports.

“A vessel operator with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit runs a significantly increased risk of being involved in a boating crash,” said Colonel Ronald K. Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Last year in Missouri, just over half of the fatal boating crashes had alcohol as a contributing factor. 

Missouri's legal limit blood-alcohol limit for boaters is 0.08, the same as for those driving motor vehicles. That limit was changed in 2008.

“Boating in Missouri is a fun and enjoyable experience for the vast majority of the boating public. To ensure the safety for all people on the water, boaters should designate a sober operator for their vessel anytime their plans include alcohol.,” said Replogle.

BREAKING NEWS

By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

A line of severe thunderstorms – with high winds and much-needed rain – blew through the Dexter area Monday afternoon, leaving behind downed trees and debris in its path.

The National Weather Service in Paducah, Kent., reports strong winds , damage to trees and downed power lines throughout the Stoddard County area, including several lines reported down south of Bernie.

Several reportings of limbs and damage to trees were reported in Dexter. ShowMe Times reader John Stephens sent in photos of tree damage he witness on One Mile Road near Grant Street in Dexter.

As of 4:30 p.m. Monday, Ameren reported 2968 customers, or 40 percent of is customers were without power in Stoddard County, with over  2,500 out of power in the 63841 zip code area.

The forecast for Dexter and vicinity calls for scatter showers and thundershowers Monday evening, mainly before 7 p.m., with a low around 67.

Photo Above: Trees took a beating Monday afternoon, as a strong line of stroms swept through the Dexter area. This tree was spotted by ShowMe Times reader John Stephens on One Mile Road near Grant Street on Monday afternoon! Thanks, John!