Tribute: A Proud Nation
Title: A Proud Nation
Author: mrssjw
Rating: PG
Genre: Tribute/Patriotism
Length: Quickie (472 words)
Author's Note: I'm a very patriotic person. I was raised to believe that regardless of what might be going on in the current political structure, you still had respect for the fact that your country was founded on certain fundamentals. This was an American Flag Tribute that I wrote for a public ceremony for Rainbow. I wrote and delivered it myself, and I was amazed at the response that it received. I wrote another long before this one, but this is by far my favorite of the flag tributes I've done over the years.
A Proud Nation
Close your eyes and imagine yourself in the small, but bustling city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It’s late July, and the year is 1776. Your country is on the brink of war. A war that is being fought for your freedom and liberty. A revolution. A small cottage on the edge of town is your destination. Inside this little bungalow, a woman is faithfully plying her needle and thread. Her fingers are sore, but her will is strong. Betsy Ross will not give up. Her steadfast determination gave us what was to become a declaration of a new country.
She gave her time, effort and love to the one thing that helped to make a difference. Our Flag.
Our flag has many names, Old Glory, The Star-Spangled Banner, The Stars and Stripes, yet any way you put it, she’s just as grand.
It is because of people like Betsy Ross, people who put their life and liberty on the line to see us through to the new era, that we have what we do, our freedom and independence. Even today there are people who fight for us. Whether they stand on the front lines of battle or simply give the Pledge of Allegiance with all their heart, they are fighting for our country.
Patriotism is a lesson that everyone should learn. Being true to your country and its flag is something that should be ingrained in every American. The beauty that is concealed in each of us shows through with a slight breeze on this magnificent banner.
But, perhaps you don’t know what the colors and symbols of our Flag represent.
After July 4, 1776, the people of the colonies felt the need of a national flag to symbolize their new spirit of unity and independence.
They “Resolved that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field.” The significance of the colors was defined thus: “White signifies Purity and Innocence; Red, Hardiness and Valor; Blue, Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.”
On May 1st, 1795, our flag was changed to 15 stripes and 15 stars, with the inclusion of Vermont and Kentucky into the Union.
On April 4th, 1818, Congress enacted the following law, which is still in effect:
“That the Flag of the United States be 13 horizontal stripes, alternate red and white, one stripe for each of the original thirteen colonies; and that on the admission of every state into the Union, one white, five-pointed star be added to the blue field on the Fourth of July next succeeding admission.”
You see, we are all different, but we can stand together and be the same. A proud nation. Thanks to one woman’s determined needle, and one nation’s resolute independence. Thank you.