U.S. FLAG HAS MANY SPECIAL DAYS FOR DISPLAY

It was a surprise to many patriotic Southeast Missourians to learn that it is especially appropriate to fly the U.S. flag on May 1, which is Loyalty Day.

If you didn't know why the flags were out Wednesday, you may not realize the U.S. Code provides for special flag displays on many other days of the year other than traditional holidays like the Fourth of July and Memorial Day.

For example, Easter Sunday and Mother's Day (but, curiously, not Father's Day) are special flag-flying days, according to Section 174 of the U.S. Code. So are major holidays such as New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Loyalty Day, which dates from 1958, is among any number of special days that are proclaimed by the president each year.

So the next time you see more than the usual number of flags flying, take the time to find out why. In the process, we will all become better informed Americans.