The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-01-21
RALLY ROUND THE FLAG

The United States of America Is
engaged in the biggest and bitter
est war in its entire history Not since
Valley Forge has the Nation been be-
set with such problems, with such
gigantic task for simple survival.
In fact, as a writer on the world
scene points out, America is the only
first-class power attempting to wage
two wars at one and the same time
the war with Germany and the war
with Japan. Toward this end the
armed forces of the country are at
an all-time high. They will number
ten and half millions very shortly!
Our sons, brothers, fathers and
neighbors are in that vast group.
Yes, and our sisters and daughters,
too.
Backed by the greatest production
of any Industrial nation in the world.
and the will to win, America will
60 forward to Victory.
What is the outward symbol OF
that will to win?
1t is the Flag of the United States
thirteen alternate red and white
stripes, with As white stars in field
of blue. Old Glory. Not the Army
Navy e burgee, although America
honors that flag, too, as sign of su-
perb production on the Industrial
front
Not the flags of our allies, al
though America honors them, too, as
the banners of our comrades in arms.
Not the Four Freedoms Flag, al
though America subscribes to these
basic principles of Liberty.
No, the symbol of the will to win
is none of these nor any combination
of them. 1t is the Stars and Stripes,
the official emblem of the United
States. This is not mawkish senti-
ment This is no maudlin plea. 1t Is
a statement of fact.
And would you be surprised to
learn that in this year of about
war, only one out of every seventeen
American homes owns and displays
the United States Flag?
Would you be dismayed To- learn
that, with Memorial Day coming up
on May 80, Flag Day on June IA,
and independence Day on July 4,
there will not be enough American
Flags to go around? That is, unless
each of us does something about it
now.
Why won't there be enough United
States Flags?
It's a matter of materials. 1t seems
those materials are needed for wom-
ems aprons and dresses, and other
articles made of cotton and other tex
tiles used in the making of flags.
Materials are needed for special
flags, flags other than Old Glory,
flags of foreign countries.
1t is said, on good authority, that
materials for making American Flags
have been curtailed to the point
where there isn't one flag for every
citizen that would like to have one.
On the cold hard basis of inspiration
alone-the will to win-do you
think this is any time to cut down
on materials for making American
Flags?
Only a massed public opinion, 1t
is said, can free the Flag; can un-
furl it on high to catch the CLINT OF
the sun and remind us what it stands
for; can put the emblem OF freedom
into the schools and on the platforms
and on the houses and into the pa
rades-places where it has always
been, without restriction, without
curtailment, without excuses.
If you believe this, as most Amer
leans do, now is the time to rally
round the Flag No one is attacking
it in the land of it's birth. No one
said or implied that. But it is being
neglected That is the word Neglect
ed Let's do something about it.
Let's fight for the Flag, and the
Flag, in turn, will fight for US. 1t
always has. 1t always will.
Flag in Every Home Committee
274 Madison Avenue, New York