2 • June 14-16, 2020 LOCAL bransonglobe.com Happy Flag Day! Now, what is Flag Day? By Karen Halfpop, Digital/ Production Director As a child, I was fascinated that every year, on my grandparents’ wedding anniversary, everyone on the block flew the American Flag. Of course I thought Grandma and Grandpa were pretty special; obviously the whole neighborhood did, too. It finally made sense when I learned that their anniversary - June 14 - actually landed on Flag Day, which seemed a more appropriate reason to fly Old Glory. June 14 marks the adoption of the flag we know as the flag of our country. Here’s how it all came about. As the colonists went to fight the war for independence against the British, they were not united under a single flag. Most of the regiments had their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continuental Congress created the Continental Army, bringing the various groups together to form a more organized show of force. From this, the Continental Colors were created: 13 red and white alternating stripes, and a Union Jack in the corner. Many thought the flag looked too much like the British flag. How would you feel if you finally got to play for the Kansas City Chiefs but had to wear a San Fransisco 49-ers uniform? Close, but definitely not your team. George Washington realized this, and a new look was created. On June 14, 1777, the continental congress passed a resolution stating: “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” In 1885, a Wisconsin school teacher named Bernard Cigrand lead his school in the first formal observance of Flag Day. In Staff Reports CoxHealth has adjusted visitor restrictions in a few key areas across the health sytem. Inpatient: Most non-COVID patients in the hospital are allowed one visitor for two consecutive hours per day. Visitors may choose between one of two open visiting opportunities: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., or 4 – 6 p.m. These hours are consistent across all campuses. Emergency departments and UrCox Medical Center Branson has eased some restrictions. (FILE) gent Cares: Patients are allowed one visitor for the first and last 30 1916, President Woodrow Wilson officially established June 14 as Flag Day. But what about Betsy Ross, you may ask? According to www.history.com, Ross’ role in the design of the first flag is unsubstantiated. “It was not until her grandson William Canby held an 1870 press conference to recount the story that the American public learned of her possible role,” according to the site. Perhaps my favorite flag story centers around the conundrum faced by flag designers in the 1950s when first, Alaska, and then Hawaii were to be admitted to the union. Bob Heft, a 17-year-old student from Ohio, borrowed his mother’s sewing machine, and set about taking apart the family’s 48-star flag. He stitched 50 stars in a proportional pattern, and handed in his creation to his history teacher for a class project, then sent the flag to his congressman Walter Moeller. Moeller then presented it to President Eisenhower after both states had joined the Union. President Eisenhower selected Heft’s design, and on July 4, 1960 the two stood together as the new 50-star flag was raised for the first time. Heft’s teacher changed his grade from a B- to an A. CoxHealth revises some restrictions minutes of treatment to assist with admission details and discharge planning. End-of-life care: Patients who are at end-of-life, or on comfort care, may have two visitors at a time. According to CoxHealth Communications Manager, Brandei Clifton, inpatient rehab units remain closed to visitors. Visitors to CoxHealth are required to wear a mask covering the nose and mouth; will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 upon entry; and must wash their hands when entering and exiting the patient’s room. They are also encouraged to stay six feet away from the patient. Clifton reports that there are no COVID patients being treated at Cox Branson at this time. CoxHealth’s previous visitor restrictions at all facilities will stay in place except for the new guidelines outlined above. To read the complete list, go to https://www.coxhealth.com/ coronavirus/#visitor-restrictions
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