Adrian Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1584 and Auxiliary recognize Loyalty Day
ADRIAN — Loyalty Day, a day that was designated by Congress in 1958, was recognized earlier this spring by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1584 and Auxiliary of Adrian.
The VFW honored first responders in Adrian and throughout Lenawee County by presenting emergency agencies with Americans flags April 29. Loyalty Day is recognized nationally May 1, which is a day also recognized as Law Day.
According to Sue Huetter, media relations with the VFW No. 1584 Auxiliary, Loyalty Day was originally approved by Congress for just May 1, 1955, but congressional approval in 1958 applied the recognition as an annual day of the year to show and have patriotic demonstrations.
“It was the culmination of a struggle to set aside a special day on which Americans could counteract the Communists who were using May Day for their annual hate demonstrations against our nation,” Huetter said in a news release. “The basic idea of having patriotic demonstrations was originally started in 1930 to show our patriotism and was referred to as Americanism rallies. The VFW was instrumental in getting this passed.”
Today, the release said, Loyalty Day is observed in every state in the nation and also in Asia, Europe, the Pacific areas, the Panama Canal zone and Puerto Rico.
A proclamation declaring May 1 as Loyalty Day in Adrian was presented by Adrian Mayor Angie Sword Heath to Adrian Police Chief Vince Emrick and to Lt. Derek Helinsky, as well as to Adrian Fire Chief Aric Massingill.
The VFW handed out informational pamphlets about Loyalty Day, the meaning of the 13 folds of the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance and the American Creed during its ceremonies April 29, Huetter said in the release.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian VFW Post No. 1584 and Auxiliary recognize Loyalty Day
