Our Fabulous Flag–A History Lesson

As I watched the flags sailing in the breeze on the 4th of July, I remembered the wave of patriotism that swept across the country within hours of the terrorist attack on 9-11-2001. Americans came together in a show of patriotism unlike any this country had ever seen, proudly and defiantly displaying flags, not only on flagpoles, but on vehicles, windows, hats, lapels, and any object they could find. Every day looked like the Fourth of July! Throughout history, our flag has brought out the best in the American spirit. What is it about this flag?

Nations have proudly identified themselves with flags since the beginning of time. The term “standard bearer” originated when early armies recruited young boys to carry their flags into battle. This boy was expected to keep the flag high during combat as a rallying point for his soldiers and a sign to the enemy that surrender was not imminent. Should the “bearer of the standard” fall wounded, a nearby soldier retrieved the flag and prevented it from falling. That soldier, then, became the “standard bearer,” and the battle continued until the only flag to be seen was that of the victorious army.

There have been many times when seeing the flag assured Americans that all was well. One of more famous happened early one morning during the War of 1812. When the flag was seen above Fort McHenry following a night long battle, Sir Francis Scott Key put his thoughts to music and the “Star Spangled Banner” was born and we had a national anthem. Had Sir Francis not seen the stars and stripes in the dawn’s early light, the course of American history may have changed.

A less well-known sighting of the flag is that of Captain Stephen Driver as he was about to set sail in 1831 on a voyage that would lead to an encounter with mutineers of “The Bounty.” When he left Massachusetts, friends presented the sea captain with a beautiful twenty-four star flag. As the stunning new flag unfurled above the blue ocean, Captain Driver exclaimed, “Old Glory!” Our flag had a nickname. However, the story did not end there. The sea captain retired to Nashville where the famous flag flew above the courthouse. Rebel forces occupying the city during the Civil War searched without success to find Old Glory and destroy it. After Union forces recaptured the city, Captain Driver brought the famous flag out from hiding in his bedroom, sewn between the layers in the comforter on his bed. ‘Old Glory’ once again flew proudly above the capitol building in Nashville.

Ten years ago, a different American flag flew in New York City and etched another unforgettable image into our national memory. In the early days following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, rescue workers at the World Trade Center found the a tattered American flag and raised it to assure the country that we were not defeated. In a pose reminiscent of our soldiers on Iwo Jima in World War II, the brave men at ground zero lifted the American flag from the Trade Center ruins and gave hope to a devastated nation.

Months later, when our military headed to Iraq, the World Trade Center flag was aboard the USS Teddy Roosevelt, a symbol of American determination, and resolve. After the battle-scarred flag returned from the Middle East, the Verona Flagmakers mended it with overlays of smaller American flags. The 9-11 Flag now tours the country. Most recently, it was on display at the funeral of Christina Green, the nine-year-old girl born on 9-11-2001 and killed during the Tuscon Shooting Spree and assassination attempt on Congresswoman Giffords. This flag, like many of its predecessors, continues to bring comfort and hope to the nation.

A decade has passed that heartbreaking Tuesday morning in September of 2001. New York City has returned to business as usual and several perpetrators of the attack have been brought to justice. Many things have changed in the American psyche and on our political landscape, but one thing remains constant. The flag still stands for freedom and remains the symbol of American resilience that rallies us to pride and patriotism in times of war and peace.