There are many stories about how and why our flag came into existence.  Betsy Ross at the request of Gen. George Washington in June of 1776 designed it and put it together.  Francis Hopkinson a N.J. congressman designed it but his had six pointed stars and the stars were in rows instead of a circle or some colonial ancestor was responsible for its design and creation.  How or who brought it into existence is not important, what is important is that it is our flag, “The Flag of The United States of America.”

It is more than just a piece of cloth shaped into a design, it is the refuge for the world’s oppressed people, the silent sentinel of their freedom as well as ours. The inspiration of our patriots who gave their lives and fortunes and led our sons into battle from Valley Forge to Iraq and Afghanistan and it walks in silence with each of our honored dead to their resting place. It has flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity, good and evil.  We need to honor it, respect it, defend it with our lives and fortunes and never let our enemies tear it down, from its lofty position, never! We need to keep the fires of patriotism burning, strive for the spirit of decency and democracy, worship the Eternal true God and keep His commandments.  If we do this our flag will remain the bastion, the fortress, the rampart, the citadel of peace and freedom for all mankind.

They are not quite sure why they chose the colors ‘Red, White and Blue.’ It has been suggested that the Red was for heroism and courage, ‘Entirety of Sacrifice!’ White was for righteousness and justice, ‘Purity of Purpose!’ Blue was for loyalty and fidelity, ‘Unity of Effort!’  To me after serving with the United States Marines and fighting in Vietnam. The ‘Red’ is for the blood that was shed to purchase our freedom; 1.5 million soldiers have died, in more than 66 military conflicts. The ‘White’ is for the bandages to wrap the wounded, the maimed, and the lame both physically and mentally who came home to tell the stories or not. The ‘Blue’ is for the skies we flew and the oceans we sailed to fight, die and bleed for the freedom of others whose language we could not even speak.

I came across a poem about 35 years ago entitled, “Hello Remember Me?” I don’t know who wrote it, but today with the internet many claim ownership. There is a lot of stuff in this blog and every blog from everywhere, ‘Something old, something new, Something borrowed, something blue, Silver sixpence in your shoe.’ It is written from the Flag’s point of view:

“Some people call me ‘Old Glory’ some, ‘The Stars & Stripes’ and others call me ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’ But whatever you call me, I am your flag, the flag of the, ‘United States of America.’ Something has been bothering me though, so I thought I would talk it over with you, because it’s about you and me.

I remember some time ago people lined up on both sides of the street to watch the parades and naturally I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. When your father saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his right hand was directly over his heart…remember?

And you   I remember you, standing there straight as a soldier. You did not have a hat, but you were giving the salute, just like your father. Remember your little sister, not to be out done; she was saluting just like you were, with her right hand over her heart…remember?

What happened? I am still the same old flag? Oh I have a few more stars since you were a boy and a lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago. But now I don’t feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street or into your auditorium you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. I may even get a small glance and then you look away. Then I see the children running around and shouting and they don’t seem to know who I am. I saw one man take his hat off and then look around. He did not see anyone else with theirs off so he quickly put his back on.

Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I have been, Anzio, Normandy, Guadalcanal, Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, Afghanistan, Iraq, The Middle East. Take a look at the ‘Memorial Honor Roll’ sometime and remember those who never came back to keep this Republic free, ‘One Nation Under God!’ When you salute me, you are actually saluting them.

Well it won’t be long until I will be coming down your street or isle again, So when you see me, place your right hand over your heart and I will salute you by waving back and I will know that………’YOU REMEMBERED!’

This next one is also by an unknown author and that’s for the better:

A protest raged on a courthouse lawn; Round a makeshift stage they charged on. Fifteen hundred or more they say; Had come to burn our Flag that day. A boy held up the folded Flag; Cursed it and called it a dirty rag. A man pushed through that angry crowd; With an old rusty gun shouldered proud. His uniform jacket was worn and tight; But he polished each button shiny and bright. He crossed that stage with a military grace; Until he and that boy stood face to face. Then the old man broke the silence; “Freedom of Speech, is worth dying for.” Good men are gone, they live no more; All so you can stand on this court house lawn; And ramble on from dusk till dawn. But before that Flag gets burned today; This old veteran is going to have his say. My father died on a foreign shore; In a war they said would end all wars. Tommy and I weren’t even full grown; Before we fought in a war of our own. Tommy died on Iwo Jima’s beach; In the shadow of a hill he couldn’t reach. Where five good men raised this Flag so high; That the whole wide world could see it fly. I got this bum leg that I still have to drag, Fighting in that war for this same old Flag. There’s just one shot left in this old gun; So now it’s time to decide just which one. Just which one of you will follow our lead; To stand and die for what you believe?” The boy who called it a dirty rag; Handed the veteran the folded Flag. The crowd got quiet as they walked away; To talk about what they heard that day. So the battle for our Flag that day was won; By a loyal veteran with a single gun. Who for one last time, had to show to some, That those three colors will never run!     ‘Between The Lines’

(We will continue ‘Old Glory’ or ‘The Stars and Stripes’)