June 14 is Flag Day here in the United States and 13 June is the birthday of the United States Army. Therefore, it is appropriate to honor both with this Thursday Thirteen about our beloved flag.
1. Old Glory was "born on" June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.
2. The thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.
3. Today fifty stars signal from its union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.
4. The red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.
5. The white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.
6. The blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.
7. The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
8. There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see.Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony.
9. Inspired by the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned the lyrics to our national anthem as he witnessed the event as British rockets whizzed in the air while our American Flag flew in the breeze.
10. After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land, and "half mast" on a ship.
11. Want to know how the Stars and Stripes became known as "Old Glory"? You will find it here.
12. When the American flag is folded, each fold represents something. You can find out here. It is a very moving ceremony, full of beautiful meaning.
13. The Pledge of Allegiance: I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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15 comments:
Wonderful List. I wish more people knew what the flag really stands for, and showed appreciation for those who served to grant us our freedom and keep us safe.
Thank you
Thank you, Dawn! I really appreciate it! :)
Thanks for that!!! My flag and my TT are up.
~Mary
Thank you for sharing all this wonderful information. It wasn't until my son's Patriotic Program I found out about Old Glory!Makes me proud to be an American. Hope you have a great weekend.
Very interesting. Lots of things here that I did not know.
Very informative - just read about the Boy Scouts' service the other day in the newspaper; a fitting ceremony to honor a flag that has served it's time. Thank you for all the great information.
Wonderful information for those out there that don't know, or have forgotten over the years.
I, on the otherhand am married to a former Marine Captain and he never lets us forget.
How Patriotic! Nice list!! =)
Thanks for the comment too. =P
While not the most patriotic person, I certainly appreciate the history and respect the flag. Thanks for taking the time with this...and for stopping by!
Thanks for the great comments and for visiting! :) I really appreciate it!
Have a lovely weekend! :)
What a cool 13! Bravo!
Thanks for stopping by :-)
I wrote a remark but it's not there! I was just going to say how imformative it was! I didn't know a few of them!
Thanks for stopping by too, Jen!
Aj, I have no idea what happened to it! I have been hearing about people leaving comments and Blogger eating them or something. Thanks!! :)
That's actially really interesting, particularly the retirement ceremony.
Nice to see people proud of their flags.
Thanks, Louise!
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