Today is Flag Day, as you know. Or don’t you know? If you don’t, you should. It’s the one day in the year that we set aside to reflect on what the American flag symbolizes, and to honor those who adopted it in 1777.
The very first American flag I remember was the 48-star flag. Hawaii and Alaska were only territories at the time, and that flag had been the status quo for many years since Valentine’s Day 1912 when Arizona became the second territory to join the Union that year.
At that time, the stars were arranged in six rows of seven. The American flag would remain that way for 47 years, until Alaska became a state in January 1959 and the 49th star was added on Independence Day that year – seven rows of seven stars.
One year later, on July 4, 1960, Hawaii (which had officially joined the Union in August 1959) became the American flag’s 50th star – the American flag now displayed five rows of six stars, alternating with four rows of five stars.
Our American flag has not changed since then – 50 years come July 4.
This particular flag design has represented the United States of America and all Americans in peace and in war, flying over our participation in conflicts worldwide since Hawaii became a state – Cuba, Dominican Republic, Korea, Angola, Lebanon, Iran-Iraq, Operation Desert Storm, Somalia, Bosnia, Haiti, Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the War on Terror.
The list actually is longer, but I’ve made my point: Our flag is us. If it’s there, we are there – if not in person, then for sure in spirit.
Long may it wave.
1 comment:
Well said!
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