Today is Flag Day. Flags are powerful symbols - they represent the pride of a nation... they represent victory... they represent us. It is just a representation and a symbol, but it can be a very powerful one.
My favorite flag is the one that flew over Ft McHenry during the attack on Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812. Aside from its role as the flag that inspired what is now our national anthem, it has powerful symbols of its own. It is the only flag design that has 15 stripes - the addition of later states only added stars, and reduced the stripes to 13. It has been preserved over the ages, a symbol of our nations dedication to remember the past and hopefully learn from it. Finally, it flew during a war some have called "The Second War of Independence" - a war where the foe invaded our nation's capitol. And yet... now that "foe", Great Britain, is one of our closest allies.
Today also marks the anniversary of the founding of what is now the US Army. A force that reaches back longer than we were a country.
I find this a fitting pair. Perhaps this verse from the Star Spangled Banner makes the connection as well:
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
But ponder well... Just is also a four letter word.
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