Your Flag / My Flag
The American flag has been the symbol of our nation's strength and unity for more
than 200 years. The American flag is a source of inspiration and national pride. As I
look at the American flag, I can’t imagine a more perfect flag and symbol for our
nation.
Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red and six alternating
white stripes that represent the original thirteen colonies. Fifty stars represent the fifty
states of the Union. Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity
and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.
The Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act on June 14, 1777, in order to
establish an official flag for the new nation. According to legend in May of 1776,
Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. Elizabeth Griscom Ross, a Philadelphia
seamstress, reportedly sewed the American flag from a design brought to her by
George Washington.
The thirteen stars and the thirteen stripes represented the first thirteen states:
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Virginia, Georgia, Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
and Rhode Island.
September 14, 1814 - The flag that flew over Ft. McHenry was made by Mary
Young Pickersgill. Her home in Baltimore was later enshrined as the “Flag House.”
Situated on the corner of Albemarle and Pratt streets in Baltimore, it is preserved as a
National Historic Landmark.
The American flag is no doubt a heart warming and emotional symbol of a proud
nation. The American Flag belongs to all the citizens of our nation. I can see no reason
to desecrate our national symbol in protest to government policies. Many brave men
and women paid the ultimate sacrifice to give birth to this great symbol. (But one of
the rights our flag secures, is that right to free expression)
Sadly, the use of the American flag by some government leaders to claim patriotism,
and righteousness while furthering their personal (and sometimes, religious) agendas is
a misuse of the great symbol of our nation.
And, we have seen politicians wrap their political agendas in the American flag
claiming all that oppose them are unpatriotic.
The flag is used often in photo opts and powerful television campaign ads to evoke
a feeling of patriotism. Our politicians have a right to be proud of the American flag
and they have the right to display the American flag. The American people just need
to understand the impact these powerful images have on their perspective, and how
the power of that image can obscure divisiveness.
The American people proudly display the American flag to honor our fallen leaders
and brave men and women in uniform. We proudly display our flag to illuminate the
accomplishments of a great nation. The American flag and its symbolism must be
respected!
When I see my American flag, I see a perfect symbol of a free nation. We must
respect our nation’s colors. Yes, the American flag belongs to all citizens. Misuse of
this powerful symbol of a free nation was not the intention of those who saw the need
to have a uniting and powerful symbol for a free and united society.
Fred Flanagan
Copyright © 2007
The American flag has been the symbol of our nation's strength and unity for more
than 200 years. The American flag is a source of inspiration and national pride. As I
look at the American flag, I can’t imagine a more perfect flag and symbol for our
nation.
Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red and six alternating
white stripes that represent the original thirteen colonies. Fifty stars represent the fifty
states of the Union. Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity
and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.
The Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act on June 14, 1777, in order to
establish an official flag for the new nation. According to legend in May of 1776,
Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. Elizabeth Griscom Ross, a Philadelphia
seamstress, reportedly sewed the American flag from a design brought to her by
George Washington.
The thirteen stars and the thirteen stripes represented the first thirteen states:
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Virginia, Georgia, Connecticut,
Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
and Rhode Island.
September 14, 1814 - The flag that flew over Ft. McHenry was made by Mary
Young Pickersgill. Her home in Baltimore was later enshrined as the “Flag House.”
Situated on the corner of Albemarle and Pratt streets in Baltimore, it is preserved as a
National Historic Landmark.
The American flag is no doubt a heart warming and emotional symbol of a proud
nation. The American Flag belongs to all the citizens of our nation. I can see no reason
to desecrate our national symbol in protest to government policies. Many brave men
and women paid the ultimate sacrifice to give birth to this great symbol. (But one of
the rights our flag secures, is that right to free expression)
Sadly, the use of the American flag by some government leaders to claim patriotism,
and righteousness while furthering their personal (and sometimes, religious) agendas is
a misuse of the great symbol of our nation.
And, we have seen politicians wrap their political agendas in the American flag
claiming all that oppose them are unpatriotic.
The flag is used often in photo opts and powerful television campaign ads to evoke
a feeling of patriotism. Our politicians have a right to be proud of the American flag
and they have the right to display the American flag. The American people just need
to understand the impact these powerful images have on their perspective, and how
the power of that image can obscure divisiveness.
The American people proudly display the American flag to honor our fallen leaders
and brave men and women in uniform. We proudly display our flag to illuminate the
accomplishments of a great nation. The American flag and its symbolism must be
respected!
When I see my American flag, I see a perfect symbol of a free nation. We must
respect our nation’s colors. Yes, the American flag belongs to all citizens. Misuse of
this powerful symbol of a free nation was not the intention of those who saw the need
to have a uniting and powerful symbol for a free and united society.
Fred Flanagan
Copyright © 2007
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