Old Glory

What do you think of when you see the American flag?

The Stars and Stipes

Pride. Patriotism. Honor.

Those are just a few of the words that come to mind when I see the “Stars and Stripes”.  I asked my two oldest children what they thought of when they think of the flag.  My 13 year old replied “the Pledge of Allegiance, our Country and all the lives that have been lost to defend it.”  My 10 year old said “everyone who has served for our Country.” I have to say that I am very proud of their answers.  It seems that too many citizens have lost respect for our flag and all that it represents…that makes me very sad as a Patriotic American.

What do the red, white and blue mean?

“The 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies of the US: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Virginia. The 50 stars represent the individual states that make up the nation. Popular history states the red of the flag represents valor, white stands for liberty or purity and blue represents justice, loyalty and perseverance. These meanings are unofficial though.” (http://www.worldflags101.com/u/usa-flag.aspx )

JUNE 14^TH ~ FLAG DAY

On June 14^th, 1777 the Continental Congress authorized the “Stars and Stripes” as the official symbol of the United States of America. On June 14^th, 1785 a school teacher in Wisconsin, Bernard Cigrand, declared that date to be the birthday of the flag and dedicated his life to teaching children and adults alike the meaning and history of our Nation’s flag.

Show your pride…fly the colors!

For more information and the history of the “Stars and Stripes” and Flag Day:

http://www.nationalflagday.com/default.asp

http://www.worldflags101.com/u/usa-flag.aspx