Sunday, we will celebrate the 234th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of our great nation. A nation unlike nearly all others on earth. A nation that from its inception was based on diversity. Peoples from all nations, all walks of life, all stations of society (from the privileged to the destitute) and from nearly every religious, cultural and ethnic background. Such was the formula for this unique country that we lovingly call "America".
The young nation soon found its mettle tested under fire. Not only in the Revolutionary War to win its own freedom from the British, but in subsequent World Wars, to defend their newly found freedom from the yokes of aggressors and to insure the freedom of people on many foreign continents.
Throughout these conflicts, the flag, the national standard of our nation, proudly led the fight. Like the nation it represents, our flag is a truly unique banner among the flags of the world. It is easily the most recognizable of the flags of the world.
Have you taken the time to have a really close look at the piece of cloth that represents one of the greatest nations ever? I encourage you to take a few moments to look at "Old Glory's" makeup and to analyze your thoughts and feelings. The following are mine.
In the upper left corner is a blue field with 50 white, five-pointed stars. To me the color blue has always represented royalty. In the case of America, her "royalty" is not found in the status of her leaders but in the fact that the citizens, the people, are the ultimate source of all her power. This was guaranteed by the
U. S. Constitution.
The array of white stars is the one section of the flag that has changed many times in its history. From the original colonies represented by the circle of 13 stars to the present 5 rows of 6 and 4 rows of 5 (for a total of 50.) Each star represents a state in our union. All are equal. The star has always been the symbol of excellence. Of stability. Of strength. So it is with our great Republic. The states that form the Republic are also varied and unique. Those citizens who inhabit the individual states differ greatly. They come from differing ancestral backgrounds, different regional and ethnical histories and different political viewpoints. Yet, we are all bound by a love of God, Family and Country into a mighty and powerful nation. A nation that is the object of both pride and envy...love and hate.
The field of 7 brilliant crimson and 6 pure white stripes represent the original 13 colonies. To me, the red represents the blood of millions of young Americans who gave "the last full measure of devotion" in defense of the flag and country. The white represents honor and innocence. As a proud past member of the 82nd Airborne Division, and America's first line of defense, honor is a big deal. It is better to die with honor than to live in disgrace. And, though our motives are sometimes questioned by the rest of the world, I like to believe that we are still a nation of honorable men and women. The bar has always been a symbol of strength or toughness...unbendable....unbreakable. I also take notice that the bars are tightly grouped with no space between them. No wedge can be driven between them to divide or diminish the strength of the union.
To many, the flag is merely a piece of brightly colored cloth. But to me it is much more. It is the symbol of our nation. The United States has been called "The Last True Bastion of Freedom"....and rightly so. It is the nation that countries and citizens around the world turn to in times of global upheaval. The birthplace of technological advances beyond the imagination of our great-grandfathers. The flag that accompanied the astronauts of Apollo 11 to the moon and went with Admirals Byrd and Peary to the Poles. It led the charge up San Juan Hill and was raised triumphantly over Iwo Jima. It is put up fast and taken down slowly at every US military outpost scattered across the globe.
Call it by whatever name you choose. "Old Glory", "The Stars and Bars" or "The Star-Spangled Banner". But, please, treat it with the reverence and respect that she deserves. She is your flag. She represents your country. And, representing your national government, she is all that stands between you and the forces of evil and tyranny across the globe.
