Once again this was a question posed by a referrer that I followed back, and frankly, I was taken aback that anyone in this country would ask such a question. But, then I remembered, this is the world wide web, and so, it is not necessarily an American asking. Therefore, I shall endeavor to respond, beginning with the basics. Our flag. The symbol of peace,freedom of religion, freedom of speech and unity of each state bonded together with all other states in the union. We have a pledge of allegiance each school child says every morning in school, that says it best.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America,and to the republic for which it stands, One nation, Under God, indivisible, with liberty and Justice for all."
The flag itself was first made by Betsy Ross, with 13 red and white stripes,as I recall the story, the red to commemorate the blood we shed, (or our forefathers shed) and we are still willing to shed today to protect our country- to gain our Independence as a nation,and the white,symbolizing the purity and peace of the love of God,and his blessings upon this land. In the upper left hand corner of the flag, we have a field of blue, decorated with white stars, one star for each state in the union. The number 13 is significant, being the number of states we began with, which were placed in a circle on that first flag, and now, with Alaska and Hawaii, we are up to 50 states.
You have only to know the words of our national anthem to understand the fireworks we shoot off every fourth of July, which is the day we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
"Oh, say can you see, by the dawns early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, or'e the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming! And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night,that our flag was still there! Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave, or'e the land of the free? And the home, of the Brave! "
Written by Francis Scott Key, as he stood across the bay on shipboard, watching the shelling of Fort McHenry on Chesapeake bay, one of the forts defending Baltimore against the British.During the night of the bombardment, Key's anxiety was at a high pitch, and when in the morning he discerned the American flag still flying over the fortress he gave vent to his feelings, in " The Star Spangled Banner"!
And finally, the three figures marching along, with drum, fife and flag,also called the spirit of 1776, is just what it says it is. Though we may be injured, limping and bleeding, we will still pull ourselves together and march to defend our homes, lives and liberties,because in the chest of any true American, beats the heart of a Patriot!
And, in the words of Lee Greenwood," I'm proud to be an American,where at least I know I'm free, and I'm proud to remember the men who died, to give that right to me, and I'd gladly stand up next to you, and defend Her still today!'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! GOD BLESS THE USA!"
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Posted by: Chuc | July 04, 2006 at 04:06 PM