TEXAS FLAG RAISINGS
Why do we raise the State of Texas (“The Lone Star”) flag twice a year in Stone??
Many of the town’s residents may be surprised to learn about Stone’s connection with Carthage in Texas, USA and the fact that we can regard ourselves as honorary Texans!
Although not a formal arrangement, Carthage informally granted Stone the status of ‘sister city’ in recognition of the kindness shown by the people of Stone to the US airmen at the depot at Yarnfield during World War II.
The friendship between Stone and Carthage was originally initiated by John W. Howland in his book ‘The Class of ‘43”. John Howland was one of an estimated 500,000American service and red Cross personnel that passed through Stone during World War II.
The Mayor of Carthage wrote to the Mayor of Stone in November 1993 to thank Stone residents for their kind reception and treatment of the American airmen stationed at Yarnfield during World War II. The people of Carthage also bestowed a number of gifts upon the people of Stone. The Mayor of Stone wrote back to express the town’s thanks and sent a Stone Town Council flag to Carthage. Both letters are displayed in the Town Council Chamber.
The Lone Star Flag
The Lone Star Flag was adopted as the national flag of the Republic of Texas in 1839. It features a single white star on a blue vertical stripe, with horizontal stripes of white and red. This design has remained unchanged since Texas became a state, further cementing the “Lone Star” as a symbol of Texas’s unique identity.
One of the gifts given to Stone by the people of Carthage was a flag of the Lone Star State of Texas which they asked that we display as a reminder of the friendship between Carthage and Stone.
Texas declared independence from Mexico on 2 March 1836 and became the Republic of Texas until 29 December 1845 when it joined as the 28th state of the Union. Stone Town Council therefore raises the Texas State flag in March and December each year to celebrate Texas gaining independence from Mexico and the anniversary of Texas being admitted to the United States.