Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1918-12-18
AMERICAN FLAG |,
WHAT IT MEANS
The Flag of the United States May
Well Call Forth More Affection,
Hope and Honor Than Any
Other in World.
FREEDOM, LIBERTY
HONOR AND JUSTICE
A Flag to be Cherished by All Our
Hearts and Upheld by All Our
Hands.
{ BY Lucille Brooks.)


Many years ago, in 1920, when the
Pilgrims landed in this country they
did not see the beautiful Stars and
Stripes waving in the. breeze to well
come them, and which meant so
much to the future generations of
their people.
A nations flag represents its SOW
ereignty. The flag of the United
States may well call forth more affec-
tion, hope and honor than any other
in the whole world, for it symbolizes
home, country and associations dear
to any true American-the Justice.
Liberty and right of Self Government
that is dear to any true American
citizen. Its history is this: Soon after
the Declaration of Independence thI
Continental Congress appointed a
committee to confer with General
Washington and design a flag suit
able for our nation. After the pain
full and depressing defeat on Long Is
land, the retreat through the Jer-
seys and across the Delaware when
everything seemed lost for the new
government, Washington suddenly
struck the vigorous blows at Trenton
and Prinston that confounded the
enemy and drove them back to Stat
en- Island. Congress and the country
were cheered with a new hope and .
resolution that never afterward fail
ed them.
In the month of May or early June.
1777, following the staggering blow
Washington had given the British
army in Jersey the committee and
Washington completed the design for
flag. This was accomplished, and
the first flag was made at the home
of Mrs Ross, in Philadelphia. She es-
tablished shop where she made
many flags. One day the commander
in-chief, Hon. George Ross, a rela-
tive of hers, and certain members,
called on her with a design for a flag
thirteen red and white stripes with
thirteen six pointed stars, and asked
her to make flag. She consented,
but thought the flag would be more
pleasing to the eye IL the stars had
FIVE points instead OF six; this was
approved and the next day she finish
ed the flag She was given the posi-
ton of manufacturer OF flags for the
Government, which decended to her
children. In 1894 this flag was
changed and again in 1918, but it's
chief features were retained, and
Fl still waves over government build
| ings, churches, school houses, and all
American ships. People OF other ma
tions have learned to honor, trust
and obey the great American flag
the Red. the White. the Blue.
During the whole history OF AM
erica our flag has been the flag of a
country and not the personal stand
ard of king or an emperor. In botA
Army and Navy the greatest respect
| is paid to the flag.
The story of THE Star-Spangled
Banner" one of our national hymns,
was written by Francis Scott Key
during great battle lasting the
whole of day and night which he
Witnessed. The British bombardment
| OF fort, and on the following morn
ing his friends saw with delight that
the fort was still ours. The Amefi-
can flag. torn with shot and shell was
still waving in its place. This flag
still exists and the story was told =.
the poem. He who looks upon the
folds Of an American flag ripping in
the breeze without pride is untrue
to our flag and country. TIE very
colors have language: White Is for
Purity. red for yalor. blue for Justice
and all together, bunting, stripes,
stars and colors blazing in the sky
make flag of our country to be
cherished by all our hearts and up
held by all our hands.
The American flag means to me
what it should to- every girl and boy
in this great land OF ours-Freedom.
Liberty, Honor and Justice; And
long may "Old Glory" wave, the Red,
the White, the Blue.