Bright Spot: Stand up for our flags every day
At one Memorial Day celebration, someone snapped a picture of an elderly veteran standing and saluting in front of his wheel chair when the flag passed by. No one else was even paying attention. This should cause us to pause, ponder, weep and wonder.
This coming Monday, June 14, is the day we set aside as Flag Day. Most don’t get this day off. Most don’t “get” this day, period!
Not until President Harry Truman signed an act of Congress in 1949 was it even proclaimed a national holiday.
The first Flag Day was celebrated June 14, 1885. It was a small commemoration in Fredonia, Wisconsin, planned by public school teacher named B.J. Cigrand for his students.
The original flag bore the 13 red and white stripes, along with a blue field and 13 white stars signifying the original states. Two more stripes were added when Vermont and Kentucky were added to the union. But it was soon decided to permanently make the number of stripes 13 of each color so the flag wouldn’t become too cumbersome.
Our original U.S. flag actually had some parts from the British Union Jack, indicating our origins. Not until Jan. 2, 1776, when Gen. George Washington hoisted a new flag, did our country use anything that looked like today’s standard.
Traditions about flag-maker Betsy Ross can’t be confirmed. Legends abound. Regardless, the flag is to always be respected and revered. It’s never to touch the ground. When it’s old it should be discarded in a proper ceremony, not just tossed in the trash. We are to stand when it passes and pledge our allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, which stands for a united us.
The flags of ancient Israel were called banners. As these flags went before the nation into battle, they symbolized the Lord going before His people. Banners showed to whom they belonged and Who protected them (Song of Solomon 2:4).
Celebrate and stand up for our Flag. But make every day a banner day under our Lord God because of his love, protection and presence that goes before you.
Rick Sams is pastor emeritus of Alliance Friends Church.