A country’s flag is a symbol of what that country stands for and believes.  The American flag is no exception.  With its stripes, we’re reminded of the thirteen original colonies which fought for her independence from a tyrannical country across the sea.  We see representation of the fifty states which make up the United States of America in the white stars on a field of blue.

Many believe that the first flag was designed and by Betsy Ross.  This was substantiated by Ross’ own family members, but the truth is a man named Francis Hopkinson was commissioned to design flag by the Continental Congress, according to journals from that organization.  Betsy was a seamstress and it’s likely that she fashioned the first flag.

Walmart claims that they sold around 115,000 American flags on September 11, 2001, as compared to 6,400 flags on the same date in 2000.  I remember that being one of my first thoughts after the terrorist attack of 9/11.  I felt compelled to buy a flag and display it in support of my country – but there were none to be found.  For that one day in my memory, the flag was a hot commodity.

Flags have been placed at half staff to honor those who have died.  We raise the flag to honor our heroes.  We fly the flag as a show of support for our nation.  We salute the flag to show how much we love our country.  Flags have been used to drape coffins.  They then are folded and handed to the closest next of kin.  We place flags on graves of fallen soldiers.  A flag was placed on the moon when the Americans landed there so many years ago.  The Star Spangled Banner was written during war time, by Francis Scott Key, and is referred to as waving over the land of the free and the home of the brave.

On the other hand, flags have been spat upon, used in demonstrations against the policies of our country.  They’ve been burned, torn and destroyed as a show of protest.  Somehow, over time, our flag has been abused and scorned.

It’s time to restore our love of country again.  It was founded on Judaeo /Christian value, placing its trust in God. We need to be strong in defending her to the death.  In spite of mistakes made, corruption, the power of the devil and fake news, we still live in the greatest country around – where we have the right to stand up for our flag.

HAPPY FLAG DAY!