The American Flag – a Symbol of Freedom
American Flag
Whether you display your flag outdoors from your porch or lawn, or display it indoors on a wall in your home, if you were born and raised in the United States or by American parents, you will no doubt be touched by the American flag. It is a beautiful sight to be seen when flying at full mast, waving in the breeze, representing freedom for one and all. As the fourth of July approaches, we would like to encourage everyone to remember and honor the freedoms that we have, and to be thankful for those in our past who did what they could to keep this country safe. However you choose to display the American flag, allow yourself to encompass the meaning of the great red, white, and blue.
The American Flag
The national flag of the United States of America is a well recognized symbol of freedom throughout the world. The first American flag was adopted on June 14, 1777 with the original 13 stars. The 50-star flag we have today was adopted July 4, 1960, and includes thirteen horizontal stripes alternating red and white; in the canton, 50 white stars are seen on a field of blue.
The fifty stars represent the 50 states of the union and the thirteen stripes represent the original colonies that became states after they rebelled against the British monarchy.
The flag is typically displayed on public buildings and private residences. It is also often seen on other items such as clothing and decals, badges, and lapel pins. The flag is usually flown year-round at most public buildings. Many homes display full-size flags, while others use much small representations.
Civic Holidays
Many people especially raise the flag for civic holidays such as Memorial Day, Flag Day, and President’s Day, Veteran’s Day, and Independence Day, also known as the 4th of July. Typically, small flags are placed by war memorials and next to the graves of those who served in U.S. wars.
There are a number of rules guiding the display of flags whether on clothing, personal items, or in public places. You should always verify the proper way to show the U.S. flag if you are in doubt.
Emotional Displays
Throughout the year, there are a number of opportunities to display and honor the grand old flag, as noted above. Sometimes the most meaningful, heartfelt times are when we sing The Star Spangled Banner at sporting events, or when honoring our winners at such events as the Olympics. Most of us are proud to be Americans, and we show it by honoring and respecting a symbol of our hard-fought freedom.
However you choose to celebrate the various civic and national holidays where the American flag is on display, surely you will feel a touch of national pride when you see the beautiful red, white, and blue colors waving through the air.
