Bob

Flag Day and the Army’s Birthday

June 14th is a day to celebrate the Star Spangled Banner and also to recognize the anniversary of the establishment of the Continental Army on June 14, 1775.

old-glory.jpgInspired by three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day – the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 – was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson’s proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

army-flag.jpgThe modern Army had its roots in the Continental Army which was formed on June 14, 1775, before the establishment of the United States, to meet the demands of the American Revolutionary War. Congress created the United States Army on June 3, 1784 after the end of the war to replace the disbanded Continental Army. The Army considers itself to be descended from the Continental Army, and thus dates its inception from the origins of that force. Hooah!

Mini-Mall Panorama

This is a panorama of a nearby mini-mall in Manhattan Beach, California. On the right is Houston’s Restaurant where I took Verna for a very memorable date. I frequently walk past here during my after-lunch walkabouts. Click on the picture for the full panorama.

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Wayfarer’s Chapel

chapel.jpgThis is taken from our other website, where we don’t always post something political. Verna took this picture in January on a clear and beautiful day. Click for bigger.

Wayfarers Chapel

With its breathtaking Pacific Ocean view and original Lloyd Wright architecture, the Wayfarers Chapel was conceived as a respite for all wayfarers on the journey of life. Here all people may sit and be nurtured by the beauty of nature and enjoy peaceful meditation. No one realized that this simple idea would produce a world-renowned sacred site. The power of Wayfarers Chapel is a blend of the sacred purpose and beauty that people experience. This quiet beauty is emphasized by the openness and echoing of nature in the elegant glass structure.

Johnny Jump Ups

little-flowersWhen I was a kid, we called these diminutive flowers Johnny Jump Ups. Outside the building where my office is located, the gardener planted a bed of these colorful little flowers in one of the planters. I took this picture of them with my old Canon A510 using the close-up setting. Click on the image to get the full sized picture.

I looked up Johnny Jump Up on WikiPedia (excerpt):

Heartsease is a common European wild flower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. It has been introduced into North America, where it has spread widely, and is known as the Johnny Jump Up (though this name is also applied to similar species such as the Yellow Pansy). It is the progenitor of the cultivated Pansy, and is therefore sometimes called Wild Pansy; before the cultivated Pansies were developed, “Pansy” was an alternative name for the wild form.

Mall Panorama North

On a typical marine-overcast day in Manhattan Beach, the Manhattan Village Mall does business as usual. I took five photos from between CVS Pharmacy and Macy’s and merged them into this panorama. Click the picture to see supersized.

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