Start your day with a morning prayer
Yes, I am jumping the gun on Flag Day, but it is important that we all keep in mind that we live in the grandest country in the world and Old Glory is the symbol that brings us pride and lets us know that we are a part of Freedom!
Wednesday, June 14, is Flag Day. A daily ritual in each classroom when I was a school boy many years ago we would stand, salute (place your hand over your heart) and recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America: 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. The original version of the Pledge of Allegiance did not include the words “under God.”
This original version was penned by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, in 1892 in a published work to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ voyage to America.
Then, in an effort to make a distinction between the United States and an atheistic Soviet Union, Congress added “Under God” to the Pledge in 1954.
In the days of my youth, it was understood that it was our patriotic duty to stand, place our hand over our heart, and recite the pledge. We did not disrespect our symbol of freedom like some today do when they take a knee or hold clenched fist in the air.
I think that we should help our children an’ grandchildren to be aware of the significance of our Nations symbol of freedom, Old Glory. America’s birthday has traditionally been celebrated on July 4th.
However, a specific day to celebrate our Flag originated in 1885 when B.J. Cigrand arranged for some Wisconsin students to observe “Flag Birthday” on June 14.
This was the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of the Stars and Stripes. In 1914, a Flag Day address by the Secretary of the Interior, Franklin K. Lane, repeated words he felt the flag was saying to him. Those words were, “I am what you make me, nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself.”
Flag Day (the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777) was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. And on August 3rd, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.
We Call Her “Old Glory!”
In a by-gone era so very long ago,
A fledgling nation stood tall,
To a sovereign king, young patriots said no,
And rallied to answer the call.
In this quest, a banner of unity must fly,
As the militia stepped out,
They fought as one, freedom and liberty was their cry,
The banner flew,” Vict’ry!” was their shout.
Betsy Ross sewed the banner of red, white, and blue,
It proudly waved at columns front,
And signaled a life of freedom for me and for you,
Today she continues the hunt!
Washington carried her across the Delaware,
Francis Scott Key proudly watched her fly,
He wrote, “Oh Say Can You See” Now she waves everywhere,
We stand and salute when she goes by.
Our forefathers, the builders of this country we love,
Committed us to this sod,
They formed our nation seeking guidance from above,
Built on principles of God!
The British flag floated into New Orleans,
Old Glory flew at sunrise,
They were here to take our freedoms by any means,
Old Hickory gave them a surprise.
She waved at the Alamo bedside the Texas flag,
And continued to San Jacinto,
The Texians held her high for all to brag,
And cheered so that the world would know!
The War of Northern Aggression tested her might,
Brother against brother, ‘til they dropped,
The battles raged on and bitter was the fight,
In the end, slavery was stopped.
The Spanish-American War of 1898,
She charged up San Juan Hill,
The Rough Riders had reason to celebrate
Their victory and their skill.
World War I was known as the war to end all wars,
Old Glory flew to victory.
And held until the Nazis opened the door,
To threaten all that was free.
But Hitler was met with America’s best,
As Japan jumped into the fray
Old Glory took her lumps, but stood up to the test,
Proved that she was here to stay!
Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, that flag was everywhere,
She proved too strong for evils thrust,
She victoriously flies her freedom to share.
Champion to the true and the just.
Korea, Vietnam, Nine Eleven’s aftermath,
Iraq, Afghanistan. Iran,
Dogging the tyrants evil and wretched path,
Old Glory does what she can.
From that day she led Washington across the Delaware,
Through all trials and tribulations,
God has blessed her all these years, gave freedom to share
With people of all nations.
June fourteenth we honor her with a day of her own,
We pledge allegiance to that flag,
God will bless the seeds of freedom that have been sown,
We stand tall and YES we can brag!
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
Wednesday, June 14, is Flag Day! Take time to salute the flag, and proudly say the pledge of allegiance.
May our Flag continue to wave proudly over America!!
God bless each of you and God Bless America!