Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1932-06-09
The American Flag

Flag Day, deepest meaning
American This year the day will tenod
significance the nation celebrates the Two Hundredh Ami
the Birth of Washington For General
Washington tradition credits leading part very design
ing of the flag and what he did to give meaning is and will
be known to every American as long country lives
On June IA, l777 Congress resolved THAT the flag of
the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes alternate red and
white thirteen stars blue field,
representing constellation"
these simple words, authority given to General
Washington design the flag tradition
has that he went to the house Betsy Ross that visit which
has become of the finest of American folklore With
him. according to the account went Robert Morris and George
Ross the sgners the Declaration Of Independence and
the uncle Of Betsy Ross's deceased husband.
On entering her modest house in Arch street. Philadelphia
they said to have found Mistress busy at her needle
work hummng tune-softy however, that might
hear the tnke the bell the shop
of the General Washington thus simply stated his
Grand
mistress Ross we have to ask you to help in making
flag for country We do feel pleased with the grand
union flag because Of the Kings coor in the canton we have
planned another"
grand union flag by Washington
he himself had designed and first flung to the breeze
January during siege time
Reyoluionss still felt they fighting
British king but his minister's hence Washngton flag consist
ed of the thirteen alternate red white stripes but
canton the kings of ST. George and ST Anthony
1777 the Revouoniss fighting solely for American
nation, and they wanted American flag
Mrs. Ross, it is said undertook the making of the flag
eagerly with exalted
ferred her Not only that she suggested Wash
ngon slight correction design pointed
instead fveponted type heraldry snip
Of her scissors she cut folder perfect
fveponted show what few minutes
longer the design discussed and quickly nnble
fingers could execute the task Mrs Ross had the flag being
So in this honely fashion which we'll American
spirit born the emblem designed Washington coming
almost like direct gift from him. fly
nation that he also designed Today privileged
to ponder the stupendou events and influences that
century and a half
When that flag designed and made there was not
Republic in Since principles in
motion by George his fellow patriots have
tended themselves to the utmost the earth
than emblem of equal opportunity and political liberty
wherever mankind has sought and fought things
Flags have flown for vanity kings Flags
hated by millions of people, representing nothing conquest
and oppression Many the cruees predce
have forced other wrought
sanction OF some similar emblem The flag that will fly from
thousands of masts today the given George
ngton float the first bright banner of unsaned
over q people for whom he prepared great destiny.
It drew the early patriots comfortable homes from
the security Of their occupations and from the love of their
families to fight for the larger world which inherit
to them far ideal to great reality good
American will neglect to ask himself how well
the spirit of sacrifice belonging to those
who us this priceless heritage this returning anniversary
of the day when their flag born
Hardly had the American flag appeared when it began to
play an immortal part in history 1t first flung
face of the less than two months creation
Fort stanwx on August 177 first carried into battle
by George Washngtons troops Bandywine
September H. 1777 by British at the
surrender of Burgoyne October IT, l77 February
John Paul Jones took the first salute to the flag
emblem he sailed Ranger" Quibeon Bay France
April a. the striking of coors
to the American flag by British ship Drake British
port In 1887 the flag first carried by
ship columbia sailing first flown in battle
in the Pacific by the u S. Fgate Essex" 1873
next year inspired Francis Scott Key The spanged
Banner"
Once, in 1894 when Vermont and Kentucky joined the
Union, the stars and stripes 49, 1918
Congress fixed the final form of the stripes
with represent each state April 1909 Admiral
Peary planted first flag Pole Since
then Admiral Byrd has carried to both poles.
has gone has meant achievement but this year
floats the greatest the greatest
OF achievements Washington his creation the
United States.