Fourth of July Etiquette

Dear Cotillion Students, 

I hope that you are doing well and have a fun Fourth of July planned. I love fireworks, wearing red, white and blue and Fourth of July food! 

With the upcoming holiday, I want to encourage you to take a few minutes and read the Declaration of Independence. Here’s a link to it: 

https://www.ushistory.org/declaration//document/index.html

Ladies and gentlemen recognize their blessings and the sacrifices of others that helped to bring these blessings into their lives. We are so blessed to live in this country and enjoy the freedoms that we do. Stop for a few minutes and just think about all of the gifts that being an American brings to your life, and then be grateful!  

For this week’s cotillion challenge, I wanted to remind you about some flag etiquette, so that you can remember to show our flag and our country the respect they deserve. 

Flag Etiquette 

• The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
• The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
• When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag’s union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag’s own right, and to the observer’s left. When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.  
• The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.  
• To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart. Remember to remove your hat if you are not in a uniform. 
• When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention, facing the flag, from the very first note through the last note.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.  
• The flag should be kept clean and mended.
• When a flag is worn out and no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
• The flag is flown from sunrise to sunset, but may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated from sunset to sunrise 

I also wanted to share a family favorite recipe. Strawberries are in season, it looks patriotic, it’s easy and delicious and your family might just love it too! You just might want to surprise them!

Patriotic Cheesecake Trifle

In a large bowl, blend:

16 oz cream cheese, softened

2 C powdered sugar

Add:

1 C sour cream

2 t. vanilla extract

1/4 t. almond extract

In a small chilled bowl blend until stiff:

1 C heavy (whipping) cream

1 t. vanilla extract

1 T. sugar

Fold the whipped cream mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Add to this mixture:

1 angel food cake that has been cut into 11/2″ cubes

Coat well.

Thickly slice 2 quarts strawberries and put into a bowl with 1 pint blueberries. 

Sprinkle 4 T sugar and 2-3 T almond extract over the fruit. 

Layer in a trifle (or clear glass bowl) starting with the fruit, then cream cheese mixture, continue layering, ending with a layer of fruit on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving (at least 3 hours or until chilled.)

Enjoy!

Happy Fourth of July! 

Love,

Mrs. Achiu