Honoring the United States flag
On June 14, America celebrated “Flag Day.” I find it particularly interesting and somewhat curious that we have one day a year when we celebrate Old Glory. I try to do so every day. At the last three homes we owned, I have had a flag flying from a prominent pole in my front yard. In Arkansas, I even had a second one flying from a pole in the back yard—along the golf course so that golfers could see it as they played through.
A June 2023 article in “THE STAND,” a publication of the American Family Association, spurred me to pen some of the facts they offered and add some commentary about our flag.
Perhaps it is because I spent 20 years, 1 month, 3 days, 4 hours, 12 minutes, and 20 seconds in the Air Force (but who is counting?) that I care about our flag. It has been my fervent belief that America was founded “under God” and our flag has stood for the best nation in the world for many years. In fact, Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.” Of course, I could write a whole other article on how America has turned away from God in many ways, but I will resist the temptation to do so.
President Reagan, in 1981, said our flag honors what America stands for: “freedom, equality, justice and hope.” Yet most homes never fly a flag and many protests in America burn or otherwise desecrate the flag as if this country was one they hated. I find it very sad, since most of them reap huge benefits by living here.
The first flag for the U.S. was the Grand Union Flag, also known as the Continental Colors. It had 13 red and white alternating stripes and a Union Jack in the left-hand corner. In 1777, the Founding Fathers of the Continental Congress decided to change the appearance. They kept the alternating red and white stripes, but the new flag sported a “union” of 13 stars (white on a blue field).
Over the years, the flag has had 27 revisions. Stars have been added for each new state; the current flag, introduced in 1960, displays 50 shining stars, growth from 13 colonies to a bustling 50-state republic. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that June 14 would be known as Flag Day; it was officially deemed a holiday in 1949 when President Harry Truman signed it into law. As an aside, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill adding “under God” to the nation’s Pledge of Allegiance.
Today, we see our flag at city, state and national parks, at some businesses, at most government buildings, and at sporting events. After 9-11, I noted hundreds of small flags protruding out of car windows, but America (a “fast food” society) dropped that after around one year. I love it during the Olympics when an American takes his or her place on the awards stand and the flag is raised for all to see.
The U.S. flag still, in my view, represents a nation “under God” and I am very proud to have Old Glory blowing in my front yard, the North Texas wind trying to detach it from the lanyard at times!
We can also recognize our nation’s symbol during holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day. Many have forgotten our roots and how the flag demonstrates our resolve. I believe God will continue to bless the United States if we serve Him and call upon His name. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” I think it is time for us to seriously ponder the weight of that verse.