The Vashon Island record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1916-1919, 1918-07-04
Our Flag

on hc occasion OF the dedication
Of the "servlce Flag for she boys
Of Vashen and Maury Islands who
have answered the call to the
eolors.
- - -
We are assembled today 10 pay rev.
erence To the American Flag: the
synonym Of our liberties. the best
friend we have had since the organi-
cation OF the American Unioa: the in.
SEPARATION Of every lover OF liberty; and
Diyinely suggested TO the American
peopt2 when in their deep distress
Providence was kind to those who left
foreign land and established them.
selves homes that were TO be free
from oppression.
said our Flag was Diyineiy sug-
gested- How could It else be, when
We know that from earliest times It
has marked the pathway of liberty,
freedom, and the spirit of American
citizenship No gathering of our PEG.
pie in public assembly is happy with
out the stars and stripes waving over
them.
II calls TO mind the triumphs OF
Americans on thousand fields of con
test 1t modestly reminds every citizen
OF his or her responsibility to the Gov.
eminent under which they live Sey.
eral times in the history OF our coun.
try its authority has been disputed. but
In every contest 1t has risen suprme
over its foes. In 1776, In 1872 in 1916,
and then in 1861 TO 1865 it's supremacy
was put to severe test. Innocently
ii was assailed, but after four years
Of struggle It maintained it's former
glory. and today all good Americans
lay claim to individual protection un-
der its authority.
"fIow indispensable the work accom-
plished by you and your comrades IN
arms back yonder in the last century,
Without United States OF America.
what could Democracy hope for the
world today"
Those of my comrades here today
who were in the contest of 81. realize
the value OF our flag and remember It's
inspiration upon many fields Of battle
As the battle line surged back and
forth how anxiously we looked In the
distance to see evidence of reinforce
ments, and when We could see the
flags approaching, we knew that add.
tionai regiments were coming to our
support and we were doubly inspired
to renew and press the enemy we'll
remember on one OF these occasions at
Vicksburg where we fought from sun
up to sun down, and it seemed the
issue was in the balance; but looking
along the line, new flags, indicating
new regiments, were approaching, and
we moved forward with renewed cour-
age, and very soon the enemy gave
way and we We're the victors. How
much this victory was inspired by the
Flag remains question to civilians
but the soldier who participated has
but one opinion.
II there is one time more than any
other in which we should appreciate
our Flag. that time is NOW. Never in
our history as nation have we been
called upon 10 protect inviolate the
glorious emblem that has been be,
aueathed as a permanent call to vic
tory on every occasion when our lib.
critics are assailed.
Not only America at this time is
proclaiming its value as national
emblem, hui nations across the seas
are looking to It as harbinger of de-
tense, surrounded by the bravest of
the brave of our best young blood that
will not see it Inundated by the
bordes of barbarians that have brought
terror TO the world and disgrace to
their prestige as cultured people
Germany must know. as well as
other peoples. that 10 attack the Amer
lean Flag is dangerous experiment,
and that amid all the wreck and ruin
that may be caused by the most mod
ern and wicked devices TO destroy |
msn. that our Flag viii be al the front
maintained by the best blood of Amer
lea, and that its final triumph is as
sured, even before the battle has fair
ly begun.
And why? Because it is a creation
Of liberty-loving people; it reflects the
sentiment. the opinions of nation
whose desire is to do unto others as
our Nation would be done By We have
oSsos.o.ecoooooccooooo.S3oo 4