Fly Me With Pride!
On June 2, 2015, I wrapped myself in my American Flag that flies on my front porch, Memorial Day through Veterans Day each year. It was a Toastmaster meeting. The Toastmaster of the Day introduced me…
Patriotism is defined as love for, or devotion to, one’s country. Put the flag together with Patriotism and you have Lynne Bradley-Horan, asking you to “Fly Me With Pride”.
I AM THE FLAG! THIS IS “MY” STORY!
Ladies and Gentlemen, you know me as “The American Flag”. I’m also called, “Old Glory”, “The Stars & Stripes”, and “The Star Spangled Banner” Oh, and Spangled I am! 50 brilliant stars! Each signaling Democracy! Justice! Freedom!
I was created in 1777! My stripes! White on Red! Thirteen in all! The first 13 colonies over which I proudly waved!! I represented: “Here we are! We left home! We are Independent!!”
They used “The King’s Colors” for me. Eye catching, don’t you think? Initially, the “Union Jack” (the “X” of Great Britain) was in my upper left corner. Soon that area became solid blue. Into my blue box, they put 13 white stars with six points.
For years, the placement of my stars and stripes had no conformity. Sometimes my stripes were horizontal; sometimes vertical! Sometimes my stars were in a circle; sometimes in rows. Every time we added a state, they give me a new star! Imagine my confusion!! I suffered an identity crisis!
FINALLY! In 1812 Congress passed a law standardizing my design: 13 horizontal stripes with one five-point star for each state, placed in rows. Cool!! Everyone was so impressed with me!
In 1877, in honor of my 100th Birthday, Flag Day was established to celebrate me! June 14th every year! Thank you!
1960 was a BIG year for me. Alaska became a state on January 3, 1959; Then, Hawaii became a state on August 21,1959. By LAW, they had to update my stars by July 4th, 1960
A nationwide contest was held to answer the question: “How will we fit 50 stars into the little blue box?”
The winning design was submitted by Robert Heft, a high school student, born in Saginaw, Michigan, living in Lancaster, Ohio. Years later, Bob became a Toastmaster, in the Harvey Spalding Club in Saginaw. Of course, he gave many speeches in the USA — all about ME!!
Boy! Have I been around! I was raised over Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor in 1814. The British couldn’t take our fort! There I was to PROVE it!! That’s how I got my name, “The Star Spangled Banner”, thanks to Frances Scott Key, an attorney watching me from a ship.
It took FOUR Marines to raise my Glory as we won The Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. My song of that year called me “The Emblem of the Land I Love…”
I used to be in nearly every class room in the USA. I attend nearly every sporting event – indoors or outdoors. Congress opens every session with a Pledge to me. (They used to do that in class rooms, too.)
Students first recited the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 – It was created for a Columbus Day Celebration — the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America. Americans loved it! It was adopted by Congress 50 years later (1942).
As your flag, I honor you! My purpose is to remind you what your country is all about – the trials you have been through, the sacrifices you have made. I’m here to remind you how fragile freedom can be and yet, how strong YOU can be when you are free!
Keep me in your thoughts and your prayers as you go through your daily lives. Remember the strength and courage it took to get those first 13 stripes. Remember the guts and glory it takes to preserve, protect and defend those 50 brilliant white stars.
I cry out to you! Fly ME and Remember! I represent the Heart of America – your republic, your freedom, your justice. Fly Me with PRIDE!
Grannies, Make sure that your entire family knows the TRUE HISTORY of the United States of America. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
6/13/20