Our Flag – The Stars and Stripes

 Our nation’s flag has a history that is directly tied to the struggle for Independence from tyrannical rule.  To many around the world the American Flag is regarded as the symbol for freedom and liberty. To others it may be hardly ever noticed. But for us who are Son’s of the American Revolution, we regard our nation’s flag as the symbol for the great struggle that lead to the American Revolution and ultimately to our independence as a nation of a free people.

 Here are some links to various sites that will help you learn more about the American Flag.

Books on the Flag
What You Should Know about the American Flag, 2nd rev. ed. by Earl P. Willimas, Jr. (Thomas Publications, Gettysburg PA, 1992) – 52 pages 5.5 x 8.5 inches, a concise history of the U.S. flag with many one-page stories of special flags, suitable to supplement grade school history classes.
Your Flag, compiled by Al Stenzel (Boy Scouts of America, Irving TX, 1986 – and likely later editions) – 64 pages 7 x 10 inches, history, use, and ceremonies for the U.S. flag and many others in U.S. history.
The Stars and Stripes, by Boelslaw and Marie-Louise D’Orange Mastai (Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth TX, 1973) – 64 pages 8.5 x 9.5 inches, a book written for the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, giving the history of the “stars and stripes” and presenting 144 color and 157 monochrome photos of historic U.S. flags.
Flags to Color from the American Revolution (Bellerophon Books, Santa Barbara CA, 1996) – 32 pages 8.5 by 5.5 inches, a coloring book with dozens of national, militia, and naval flags, including brief notes on their creation and use. This will interest both grade schoolers and history buffs.
The Story of Our Flag, (Bellerophon Books, Santa Barbara CA, 1996) – 32 pages 8.5 x 11 inches, a coloring book with dozens of national, militia, and naval flags, including brief notes on their creation and use. This will interest both grade schoolers, high schoolers, and history buffs.
The Flag Book of the United States (bibliographic info not yet obtained) – an advanced scholar’s work
Flags through the Ages and across the World, by Whitney Smith (bibliographic info not yet obtained) – a more general text

 

I AM YOUR FLAG

Author Unknown

I was born on June 14, 1777 I am more than just a cloth shaped into a design I am the refuge of the world’s oppressed.

I am the silent sentinel of freedom I am the inspiration for which American patriots gave their lives and fortunes.

I have led your sons into battle, from Valley Forge to the bloody jungles of Vietnam I walk in silence with your honored dead

To their resting places beneath the silent white crosses, row on row.

I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity and amidst it all,

I have been respected. My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation.

My white stripes signify the burning tears shed by Americans who have lost their sons

My blue field is indicative of God’s heaven under which I fly

My stars are clustered together unifying 50 states in one, for God and country

“Old Glory” is my nickname, and I proudly wave on high

Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes.

Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return.

Keep alight the fires of patriotism

Strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy

Worship eternal God and keep his commandments

And I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind

National Symbol by Charles Evans Hughes
The flag is the symbol of our national unity, our national endeavor, our national aspiration.
The flag tells of the struggle for independence, of union preserved, of liberty and union one and inseparable, of the sacrifices of brave men and women to whom the ideals and honor of this nation have been dearer than life.
It means America first; it means an undivided allegiance.   It means America united, strong and efficient, equal to her tasks.
It means that you cannot be saved by the valor and devotion of your ancestors, that to each generation comes its patriotic duty; and that upon your willingness to sacrifice and endure as those before you have sacrificed and endured rests the national hope.
It speaks of equal rights, of the inspiration of free institutions exemplified and vindicated, of liberty under law intelligently conceived and impartially administrated.
There is not a thread in it but scorns self-indulgence, weakness, and rapacity.
It is eloquent of our community interests, outweighing all divergences of opinion, and of our common destiny.

The Stars and Stripes Forever March
by John Philip Sousa

 Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears ‘mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom’s shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.

Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right It waves forever.
Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
Other nations may been their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom’s nation.
Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right It waves forever.

(§ 188. National march – The composition by John Philip Sousa entitled The Stars and Stripes Forever is hereby designated as the national march of the United States of America.”  Ref: USC36, par. 188, Cornell Law Library Web Site at www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/36/188.html.)