The Coolidge examiner., 1932-06-10
BY ELMO SCOTT WATSON

June IA is Flag day and on that day
III patriotic Americans will pay tribute
to the emblem which "symbolizes the
kAWw freedom, equality, justice and human
NIn ty for which our forefathers sacri-
- feed their lives and personal for
tunes" and which represents a ma
ton Of over 1000O0O00 free people, its Con-
stitution and institutions, its achievements, and
aspirations" Everywhere-over homes busi-
ness offices and public buildings-the Red. White
and Blue will be displayed in celebration of
the anniversary of the day when the Continental
congress in session in Philadelphia Resolved.
That the Flag of the thirteen United States be
thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that
the Union be thirteen stars white in a blue
field representing new constellation"
There are several places in the United States
which have become flag shrines" because of
their association with the history of our flag
and there could be no more appropriate celebra-
uon OF Flag day than a visit to one of these
shrines on that day.
One of them is the little house at $50 Arch
street in Philadelphia, where once lived Eliza
beth Griscom Ross famous in American legend
as Betsy Ross" who, even though she NAV not
have been, as the legend has it, "the maker of
the first American flag" was certainly one of
the early ones Another is the reconstructed
Fort McHenry in Maryland where was displayed
Francis Scott Keys "Star Spangled Banner. "
Still another is the case in the National mu-
scum in Washington where is displayed the very
flag which Key saw "by the dawn's early
light" 1t was this flag which gave him the in
spiration for the immortal poem that has be-
come our national anthem-"The Star-Spangled
Banner" Then, too, there is the monument
in Old City cemetery in Nashville, Tenn which
marks the last resting place Of Capt. William
Driver, the New England sea captain, who first
called the flag "Old Glory"
Interesting as all of these are because of
their individual parts in the history of our
national emblem there is no place perhaps,
where so much flag history can be found in one
place as in the museum at the United States
Military academy at West Point. In its cases
are displayed colors which not only cover more
than a century of American history but which.
as individual flags, played their part in stirring
events in all of our from the Revolution
TO the Spanish-American war
One group of flags which has special appeal
during this the Washington bicentennial year
is composed of British and Hessian colors which
were once the property of Gen. George Wash
ington, having probably been surrendered at York
town in 17S1 with the command of Lord Corn
wallis. These flags were bequeathed to George
Washington Parke Gusts, son of Washington's
adopted son and grandson of Martha Washington.
Custis bequeathed them to the War department
who received them in 1858, whereupon Secre.
tary Floyd sent them to West Point.
Meager as are the records for these flags the
labels on them suggest innumerable thrilling
stories Of the days when Washington and his
Continentals were fighting what so often seemed
TO be a hopeless fight for American liberties.
Here is one described as British kings colors