D v. 3 no,: THE . onneccicut Bicentennial L. GAZETTE VOLUME III SPRING 1974 CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF SECONDA^/t/, e^jing week that foretold the success of future work in SCHOOLS CRITICIZED FOR REFUSAL TO debates, which will be run through 1981. •Nl^f gear's debaters will include students from states ENDORSE BICENTENNIAL PROJECT carved from the original thirteen, for a total of twenty-six, Xaverian Brothers High School of Westwood, Massachu­ and by 1976 it is hoped that high school teams from all setts was the team adjudged the champion in the first an­ 50-states will compete. nual National Bicentennial Debate competition, held in Williamsburg, Virginia February 5-9, 1974. The Massa­ chusetts team, made up of two high school boys, was pitted against St. Brendan High School of Brooklyn, New York, a team of two girls. Twelve of the Thirteen Original States were represented in this first annual national competition, sponsored jointly by the Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission and the Bicentennial Council of the Thirteen Original States. The only State not represented in this year's com­ petition was Connecticut, and the blame lies directly on the shoulders of the Connecticut Association of Secondary Schools, which refused to allow Fairfield Prep and Stam­ ford Catholic (Connecticut's representatives for the 1974 competition) to participate. The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut voted to endorse this project and appropriated the necessary funds to send the two high school teams to the Williamsburg debates, with all expenses paid. When it was realized the Connecticut Association of Secondary Schools would not allow the schools to make the trip, there were countless efforts to pursuade this organization to re­ verse their decision. However, the CASS hierarchy refused all efforts by members of the Bicentennial Commission to get the group to let Connecticut participate. Jay Brown, President pro-tem of the Connecticut Speech and Debate Association, writes that the Williamsburg de­ bates would have served as a project which "would have contributed immeasurably to the growth and culture en­ richment of four deserving youngsters and their coaches." Brown continued his letter to CASS by saying, "I simply cannot accept the premise that Connecticut is so singular and sovereign a state that it can be governed in matters like this in such a way that the CASS officers can, with impunity, make decisions (the results of which are) dia­ metrically opposed to what you say your membership wishes for the youth of Connecticut." Brown concluded Whitney L. Brooks of Torrington his letter to Thomas Flanagan, Chairman of CASS, at Hamden High School:". your interest in our association The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of (Connecticut Speech and Debate Association) and in its Connecticut is under the direction of Whitney L. Brooks attempted activities, has not only failed to translate itself of Torrington, following an appointment made by Harlan into positive, declarative action; in addition, it has effec­ H. Griswold, Chairman of the Connecticut Historical Com­ tively aborted an activity that would have climaxed a lot mission and the A.R.B.C. of Connecticut. "Whitney Brooks of hard work for a lot of dedicated people, and that needed will continue his duties as Vice Chairman of both State only from you some words of encouragement, and a sup­ Commissions", Chairman Griswold said, "but his primary portive executive consent." responsibility will be to direct the work of the Bicentennial 0 Commission staff." Mr. Brooks has requested that all Bi­ The two dozen teams that did participate in the first centennial-related business be brought to his attention, and annual National Bicentennial Debates took home, along not to Mr. Griswold. with their awards, the memories of an interesting and v l rw.vS The Stars and Stripes may be dipped in courtesy to an­ other nation, but unlike other national flags, it is never dipped to an individual, including the President of the Events United States. The American flag is our national emblem . the banner of freedom . our love of liberty . the world's grandest way of life. We can show our love and respect for "Old Glory" by raising it on a pole in front of our homes, as it should be. It is one flag which should be seen waving every day, instead of being tucked away in closets except for special occasions. Friday, June 14th, 1974, Philip Daigneault of Newing­ C.A.R.B.C. TO HOLD FLAG DAY CEREMONIES ton and the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission AT STATE CAPITOL JUNE 14th of Connecticut will sponsor a flag exhibit in front of the June 14th marks the 199th anniversary of the founding of State Capitol in Hartford. We are hopeful the Daigneault the U.S. Army. On this date in 1775, the Continental Con­ collection and display this year will be the beginning of a gress authorized the recruiting of ten companies of rifle­ drive for dedication to our flag, as well as display the flags men to serve for one year .. an authorization that was of all fifty states, its territories and possessions, plus the later extended indefinitely. flag of any foreign power which, at one time or another, It's interesting to note, also, that two years later . had ever held an interest in these United States. June 14th, 1777 . the Continental Congress officially a a a • adopted the Stars and Stripes as our National Flag. COVENTRY TO OPEN BICENTENNIAL WITH Historians say that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seam­ NATHAN HALE HOMESTEAD SHOW stress, actually made the flag with thirteen red and white stripes, as well as thirteen stars, set in a circle, on a blue On Saturday, June 1st, 1974, Coventry's Nathan Hale field. However, it must be emphasized that, factually, NO Homestead on South Street will resound with the reverber­ ONE KNOWS THE EXACT ORIGIN OF THE STARS ations of Musketry, Cannon-fire and the martial music of AND STRIPES. Betsy Ross DID make flags for the Con­ Fifes and Drums as the Nathan Hale Ancient Fife and tinental Army, but she DID NOT . according to all Drums and its associated units, Knowlton's Rangers, First historical evidence . make the first "Old Glory." Artillery Detachment and the Company of Artificers set In 1782, the U.S. State Department explained the up a campsite in the historic flag lot at the homestead. The reason for the three colors they selected: red for hardiness show, which gets underway at 10 a.m., will provide the and courage . white as a symbol of purity and innocence stage for the presentation of their show, "A Day in the . and blue for vigilence, perseverance and justice. Leg­ Life of a Colonial Soldier", in which all phases of camp end has it, however, that George Washington had his own activity come to life; reveille, fatigue duties, rookie drill, version of what the three colors of the flag meant. The musket and cannon drill, the training of musicians, and the first President is recorded as having said: "We take the Artificers setting up and working at their field crafts. stars and blue union from Heaven, the red from our Mother During the routine of camp duty, pickets will alert the country, Britain . separating it by white stripes, thus camp because an enemy foraging party has entered the showing we have separated from her. The white stripes," area. A call to arms . the troops form up for battle . George Washington is quoted as saying, "shall go down and a rousing skirmish will ensue. After the skirmish, a to posterity representing liberty." series of parades and formations ending with a "Feu-de- The name "Old Glory" is purported to have come from Joie" closes the show. The continuity is to be controlled by the nickname given to our flag by a salty sea skipper a narrator who describes the action as it unfolds. from Salem, Massachusetts named William Driver, who The Coventry Bicentennial Committee is proud to start was presented with the Stars and Stripes by a group of its program of activity with this authentic presentation Massachusetts citizens in 1831. Thirty years later, during and cordially invites the public to enjoy a day, or a couple the Civil War when pro-unionist William Driver was living of hours, at this historic site and see history come to life. in Nashville, Tennessee, he had the flag sewn into a bed In case of rain, the event will be held on Sunday, June 2nd. quilt to keep it hidden from searching Confederate sol­ a « a a diers. In 1864, the rebels tried to storm the new Yankee stronghold in Nashville, and Driver hoisted the flag to full HELP!! ! view . threatening to "shoot up" the Confederates if an The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of attempt was made to haul down "Old Glory." No attempt Connecticut is trying to compile a file of newspaper clip­ was made during that assault! pings of stories relating to the Bicentennial celebration, and President Wilson designated June 14th as Flag Day we are requesting your help. back in 1916. It's not a national holiday, officially, but the Bicentennial committees in Connecticut's cities and President-in-office proclaims public observance every year. towns are requested to forward copies of any clippings Only one flag may be displayed in a position of higher which might appear in local newspapers on Bicentennial prominence than the Stars and Stripes in the United matters. You may forward the newspaper or magazine States, its territories or possessions: the U.N. flag, which clippings to David O. White, Connecticut ARBC, 59 South flies over the United Nations headquarters building in New Prospect Street, Hartford, 06106.