Do You Love Old Glory?

Old Glory got its name in 1931. Ship Master Captain William Driver of Salem, Massachusetts was presented a beautiful flag of twenty four stars. As the banner flashed in the breeze, he exclaimed "Old Glory!"

Everyone should know the history of our flag. Why? Because it is our banner to the world. It says: This is America where freedom is loved and inalienable rights are guaranteed by our constitution. It says that we will fight for this representation of our country. It says, many have died or suffered in defending our flag and country.

You can read about our flag at usflag.org and many other sites on the Internet which are easily found by a simple search.

There is a certain etiquette in force that we should always follow when we are flying our flag or using it in a ceremony, parade, or other event. I'm not going to tell you how to respect the flag here. Other folks have done this well. I suggest that you go to ushistory.org/flag to learn the American Flag protocols.

Did you know that Flag Day is on June 14?

That is the day that we commemorate the origin of our flag.

Did Betsy Ross make the first flag?

That was taught to me when I was a boy.

The story of Betsy Ross was told by her grandson and not until 1870.

Betsy Ross did make flags, but did she make the first one?

I say, "Why not?"

Family traditions are more often true than not, even if it was told years after the event. We have to give someone credit for making the first flag. Why not Betsy Ross?

Read about Betsy Ross and decide for yourself who made the first American flat at: http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blross.htm

Some folks desecrate our flag.

When I see someone burning a flag during a protest against our government, my blood boils.

Because of Freedom of Speech in America, Americans that show disrespect for the flag are not prosecuted.

I say they are a public nuisance.

Can't we abate a public nuisance?

Well, can we throw horse dung at them as an expression of free speech?

Some governments do not protect our flag and support its desecration. Why are we giving time, food, and money to these regimes?

If a government has no respect for the United States of America, we should not be giving them foreign aid. The only exception is that we still have to think of humanity and do our part to help victims of flood, earthquake, and other disasters.

I always have liked veteran groups who continually honor our flag. I have never joined one even though I was a combat infantryman, but maybe I should have joined them.

Another organization that teaches respect for the flag is the Boy Scouts of America. I was active in scouting for many years and my four sons are Eagle scouts as well as several grandsons. I support these organizations and other societies that honor the flag, the Elks, the Mason, The Odd Fellows, the Girl Scouts; you name it, I support it.

One way to honor our flag is to fly it in our yards, on our porches, and at our places of business.

It's good business too.

Have you seen the size of some of the flags that car dealers fly. They are glorious.

Do you fly Old Glory?

I hope the answer is yes.

The End