Happy Flag Day

729px-1885_History_of_US_flags_medHappy Flag Day! This is the day that Americans across the country post the United States flag. Streets are lined with old Glory. Americans started celebrating Flag Week on Sunday.

I forgot. In this day of political correct common core, they probably don’t teach this in school. Title 36 of the United States Code (PDF) covers all Patriotic Observances. Flag Day is covered in Section 110 of the code. The observance commemorates the adoption of the first United States flag on June 14, 1777. National Flag Week is covered under Section 122, of Title 36, and is the week in which June 14 occurs.

There is more. There is Honor America Days. This is covered in Section 112 of Title 36. Honor America Days is the 21-days from Flag Day until July 4 in which,

Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.

I can only find one city that has events celebrating Honor America Days, though they conduct their celebration a couple of weeks after. Rome, New York (Facebook) has an Honor America Days parade on July 30. Although they do have a Patriotic 5/10K run during the 21-day period.

Another little know fact is that Independence was declared on July 2, not July 4. The declaration was issued to the public two-days after the vote taken by Congress to be read and declared publicly. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail on July 3,

The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

A visit to the Grand Canyon Deer Farm

WILLIAMS — In March I got a chance to visit the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. It was the first visit I have made to the Deer Farm petting zoo that I made since coming to Williams. For nearly 50-years, the family owned business—owned by Pat and Randy George—has welcomed visitors to Williams and the Grand Canyon.

The petting zoo is an amazing collection of animals from around the world. Before entering you can purchase some food to feed the animals.
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When you enter you are greeted by the friendly cockatoo Mozart. Next is the cute Marmosets native to South America, but some have been spotted as far north as Mexico.
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Next you can meet with Pokeahanus and Qullian the African porcupines. They have two Bison , Mary Ann and Ginger, who came to the zoo in 2008. Gracie the Camel also arrived at the petting zoo at 3 months old. She loves to greet visitors. You can see Llamas, Zebu miniature cattle, Zonky—the half-Zebra, half-Donkey—pigs, goats and a variety of other animals.
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Of course the feature is the deer. You can see Cupid and Vixen; the only two reindeer in Arizona. They have a Mule Deer named Gillian who is a rescue. While they do not normally rescue animals, the Arizona Game and Fish department asked them to take care of this Stormy Rocky Mountain Elk.
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When you bring food into the main area, you will be greeted by the deer to get feed. Surrounded is more like it. The deer are European Fallow deer and Japanese Sika Deer. They like to find out what is in your food bucket and your pocket. Don’t worry, though. Friendly staff members are available to keep them under control.

Staff member, Amy Kravitz, said, “They are really good at picking pockets. I have retrieved several dollar bills from their mouths.” She also recommends long pants and close-toed shoes.
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The gift shop, run by Mary, is stocked with a variety of gifts and souvenirs that you will find no where else in Williams. The Grand Canyon Deer Farm is open seven-days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months. During the winter they are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Grand Canyon Deer Farm offers a new interaction program where you can go in with the Kodamundee, wallabees and other animals for a separate cost of $20. They also offer a Junior Zoo Keeper program which lasts about 3 hours for ages 8 to 15. General admission is $11.50 for adults, $10.00 for seniors, and $6.75 for kids 3 to 6. A family membership is $85.

If you are planning to visit Williams anytime during the year, this is one place you have to visit.