A Little Flag Talk

It makes you proud to be an American seeing it waving its colors against a clear blue sky. Many American citizens are proudly displaying flags in their yards and businesses.

Those of you who drive down Hwy. 77 towards La Grange have had the privilege of seeing the United States flag waving high at Ray’s Crane Service. Each and every time I drive by that business, it makes me proud to be an American citizen seeing that big flag moving to and fro so majestically against the beautiful blue sky.

A little lesson on the American flag: it has 13 stripes alternating between red and white that represents the 13 original colonies and the blue rectangle in the upper left contains 50 stars which represents the 50 states.

Those of you who are big fans of the television show, The Big Bang Theory, probably remember Sheldon Cooper’s episodes “Fun with Flags.” He portrayed a comical flag enthusiast along with Amy Farrah Fowler who taught lessons about flags on a YouTube podcast show. Sheldon even had a flag for his own small apartment. To Sheldon, flags were important.

Some historians believe that New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson designed the flag and was sewn by Philadelphia seamstress Betty Ross. But, the origin of the flag is really not known. No matter who designed it “Old Glory” has survived for over 200 years and two World Wars. And where did the name “Old Glory” originate? Sea Captain William Driver owned a 10 – by 17-foot flag that he named Old Glory and he prized very much. After his time at sea, the Captain settled in Tennessee. The Confederate soldiers tried to seize the flag during the Civil War but had no success.

After the 9/11 attack, the flag pin became extremely popular. Worn on the left side of the suit lapel near the heart, many of our presidents have worn them since that dreadful day including White House staff and aids.

Flags have been a controversial subject over the years and even the last several months. So many of us have seen the American flag set on fire on the news. What does that prove? That you can light a match and set fire to something that resembles freedom and liberty? Surely there is another way to protest rather than burn something that so many of us hold dear especially those who have fought and died for our country.

Many citizens of this great country now have flags waving proudly in their yards. Patriotism was at one of its highest after 9/11. Many people flew flags showing their love for their country. Now, with the recent protests and upheaval, to me, patriotism is at its lowest. But, it doesn’t have to remain that way. “Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through perilous fight” let the American flag continue to wave high in the sky.