Citizen

Citizen
The American Flag

An Educational Ceremony

Updated October 8, 1998

For over 200 years, Our Flag - Old Glory - the Stripes of Red and White with Stars on field of Blue, has been a symbol of American Freedom and Independence - an ever constant reminder to us, the people of the United States, of those men who sacrificed their lives so that we may live in freedom.

The Eight Stripes represent the eight year struggle of the Revolutionary War for the right to freedom and the pursuit of happiness.

The Red stands for courage and denotes the courage that the men of our country have shown in defending our Flag against tirany. It inspires our men to courageous deeds in its name and bears silent witness to the men and women to whom the ideals and the honor of a nation have been dearer than life itself. There is hardly a corner of this great country which does not pay tribute to the herioc deeds performed in the name of our Flag.

The White stands for liberty - the land of the free - equality for all - and invites the oppressed of the world to come unto it and prosper. It reminds us of the Civil War when brother fought against brother to free the enslaved of the South and who, after the war, joined together to make our country greater than ever.

The Blue stands for loyalty - the blue of the heavens and the thousands loyal to our country through good times and bad, through suffering and hardships. It symbolizes men and women who hesitated at nothing to serve their country and their Flag even at the cost of their lives, when their country demanded it of them. When called upon to serve, they responded with deeds of patriotism, not words.

Each star on that field of Blue represents the entrance of each State into our Union and symbolically represents the 13 colonies which joined together to become the United States of America. It is a symbol of the toil and strife not only of our Forefathers, but also our Fathers, Ourselves and Our Children yet to be born.

Old Glory -- In the name of our Flag, the People of the United States have fought for independence and national unity. Our Flag is a jealous mistress who requires the undivided allegiance of each generation to uphold its own patriotic duty and endure as those who have come before. It is because of this allegiance that our country became one of greatness, power, wealth and influence.

And so our Flag stands today a symbol of Hope, flying in the name of peace and the brotherhood of man. It is a tribute to the accomplishments of yesterday, and the dreams and hopes of tomorrow - the future of mankind. Our Flag represents the people of the United States of American - you and I.

Let us stand by the Stars and Stripes now and forever as a symbol which has led brave men to victory and glory.

Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance