Old Glory
A few columns back, I wrote about our flag. As a matter of fact, when I checked the archives, it was in July of last year. Here it is a year later, and for whatever reason, my thoughts are once more running in that direction.
I did a little refreshing of my memories from school via the internet concerning our precious flag. We all know our flag represents liberty, freedom, pride, and Betsy Ross. Speaking of Betsy, she has always been credited for designing our flag, but there has also been controversies as to how much input she actually had in the design. Regardless of whom or how many were involved, they did a beautiful job.
Our flag has gone through many changes before it actually became the flag we all know and love today. Actually, from my reading, it took a very long time, from Jan.1,1776, till Aug. 21,1960.
Wherever we look, we can see her flying; from federal and state buildings, schools, hospitals, court houses, post offices, private businesses, homes and parks. She adorns the face of postage stamps and travels the world over. She sits on top of Mt. Everest and flies on the moon.
I learned there are different theories as to the meanings behind the designs of our flag. We know that the thirteen stripes represent the thirteen British colonies and the fifty stars represent the fifty states. In a book "Our Flag", published in 1989 by the House of Representatives, it is said that
the white signifies purity and innocence, red represents hardiness and valor, and blue, the color of the chief, signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice. Also, from the book, the stars are a symbol of the heavens and the stripes a symbol of the rays of light emanating from the sun. She has gone with us through wars, she flies at half staff at the death of special people.
In my opinion, the most touching of all is when she is folded, ever so gently and compact, then placed in the arms of wives, mothers, fathers, husbands and other loved ones at the death of one who has served our country.
My mother was given one when Dad was placed at rest and it means so much to me. "Old Glory" and Dad, along with millions of others, fought together for the rights and freedoms we have today.
It sickens and angers me to know of what they fought for so gallantly is in such danger today of being taken from us in so many ways. It tears me apart every time I hear of someone who dishonors her by burning, tearing into pieces or stomping on her. I don't express a lot of political thoughts, but I do have very strong feelings about what our country has always stood for and what is happening today.
The following story is one of my favorite stories about our flag.
During the 1908 summer Olympics, the flag bearers were asked to "dip their flag to King Edward VII". Our flag bearer was team captain, Martin Sheredan. When another flag bearer refused to dip his flag, Mr. Sheredan joined him and made this remark. "This flag dips to no earthly king."
We still have men and women who feel this way and I applaud them. These are the ones, including you and I, who will, with the help of God, return our country to her original status and to the freedoms that have been fought and died for.
This column, my hats are off to Betsy Ross and all the others, including George Washington, who gave us our flag to help us through tough times and to help us remember, "from whence we came."
See ya next time somewhere in a korner.
kdoer28@gmail.com - 573-820-2404 - www.dailystatesman.com
Comments
- -- Posted by swift on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 4:17 PM
- -- Posted by kd5475 on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 4:34 PM
- -- Posted by TNMom2 on Fri, Jul 20, 2012, at 6:04 PM
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