Flag Flying Fun... from MORALES!

Many of us use Memorial Day weekend as a reason for a vacation, family gathering, or barbecue.  But let us all remember the true reason for the holiday – to honor those who died serving our country.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day;  It was meant as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.

Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30 because he thought it was at this point that flowers would have bloomed to be at their most beautiful.

After World War 1, all American soldiers were honored. Up until this point Memorial Day only officially celebrated those soldiers who died in the Civil War. Since then Memorial Day honors all soldiers who served and died for the United States.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

It was from this reference that people wear poppies as a small honor to US service men and women lost in battle.

Below are proper etiquettes for  displaying the American Flag. 
Many of these I knew, and some I just learned...
I hope you'll proudly display your flag on Monday!! 

• When flying the flag from a vehicle, attach it to the antenna or clamp the flagstaff to the right fender (or window).
• Hang the flag above any other flag on the same pole.
• When hanging the flag over a street, hang it with the field of stars to the east (on a north-south street) or to the north (on an east-west street).
• On multiple flagpoles, all poles should be of equal height. Hang the U.S. flag on its own right.
• Hang the flag vertically in a window or draped over a building, with the field of stars to the left of anyone looking at it from the street.
• The point of honor is on the extreme left from the standpoint of the observer ("the flag's right").  The order from left to right of flags flow together is:  the Stars and Stripes, other national flags in alphabetical order, state flags, county and city flags, organizational flags, personal flags.
• It is proper to fly the Stars and Stripes at night, but only if it is spotlighted.
• In a public gathering (lecture hall, church, etc.), The Stars and Stripes should be to the right of the speakers or on the wall behind them.
• The Stars and Stripes should be in the center of a group of flags only when the center pole is taller than the others or when a fan-like arrangement makes the center pole higher than others.
• When hanging the flag in a hall or lobby, it should be across from the main entrance with the field of stars to the left of anyone coming through the door.
• A salute (hand over heart for those not in uniform) should be rendered when the flag is raised, lowered, or carried by on parade; when the Pledge of Allegiance is played (unless the flag is not present).

As always, your kind referrals are warmly appreciated!
Follow MOVIN WITH MORALES on Facebook!

    Diane Morales

          630.709.9882

http://www.eldercounselblog.com/2012/05/memorial-day-facts-you-may-not-have-known/
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/120525/memorial-day-5-historical-facts-know-weekend
http://proadvance.com/flagdisplay.html
http://www.flagandbannersupply.com/flag-etiquette.htm
http://blubabalu.blogspot.com/2011/05/memorial-day-never-forget-always-honor.html

It's an aMAYzing e•MAY•l ... from Morales!!

			Feb '12		Mar '12		Apr '12
St Charles
# Active			458		462		477
# Sold			18		39		43
MKT Time			170		217		193
Med Sold $			$314,147		$385,000		$310,000
Geneva
# Active			181		184		204
# Sold			20		24		34
MKT Time			180		129		154
Med Sold $			$322,750		$358,750		$277,250
Batavia
# Active			136		144		155
# Sold			10		18		19
MKT Time			307		165		202
Med Sold $			$297,920		$171,000		$292,000
Elburn
# Active			75		83		73
# Sold			10		13		9
MKT Time			216		245		257
Med Sold $			$212,000		$185,000		$281,000
Sugar Grove
# Active			64		56		65
# Sold			5		6		6
MKT Time			127		165		147
Med Sold $			$219,300		$213,500		$196,000
Maple Park
# Active			27		28		30
# Sold			1		6		6
MKT Time			71		707		203
Med Sold $			$178,000		$287,000		$182,500

Misc. crazy and fun-filled facts about the Month of May:

• May is named after the Greek goddess, Maia -- Her name related to a Latin word that means increase or growth.
• May day marked the end of the harsh winter months, welcomed the beginning of Summer
• Traditional May Day celebrations included dancing around maypoles.
• There is an old tale that says that May dew has magic properties and that anyone who has washed their face in it will have a beautiful complexion all through the year. This dew was supposed to be able to remove freckles and also spots and pimples.
• The month of May was considered an unlucky month particularly for getting married. -- 'Marry in May and you'll rue the day'.
• Being born in May was thought to produce a sickly child.
• Never buy a broom in May or wash blankets. -- It is believed if you wash a blanket in May, someone in your family will die.
• Cats born this month will not be good rodent catchers and even worse, will bring snakes into the home.
• The flower associated with May is the Lily of The Valley and the birth gem stone is an Emerald.
• “No Pants Day” is celebrated on the 1st Friday of May.
• Have you ever noticed that no other month in our calendar starts on the same day of the week as the month of May?

Yes, I know... I'm a MAY-niac with these trivia facts!!  It's just that I find this stuff so aMAYzing!  Play MAYke believe!  Cause some utter MAYhem!  Put some MAYk-up on! 

And Don't forget to remember me... ExclaMAYtion Mark!! 

Follow MOVIN WITH MORALES on Facebook!

    Diane Morales

          630.709.9882

http://woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/year/may.htm
http://purpleslinky.com/trivia/history/may-trivia-and-unusual-facts/
http://voices.yahoo.com/interesting-facts-month-may-8134776.html