By Alex Berger
Along the street there comes,
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums.
Hats off! The flag is passing by.
A hole in the skyline. A hole in our hearts. Will we ever be whole again.
I drove into my Whitestone cul-de-sac recently to see the new flag the residents erected. It was installed on a pedestal and was snapping quite briskly in the wind.
The following day, I received a letter from Sheila, a reader from Little Neck who was proud of the profusion of flags being displayed.
She was very annoyed, however, when she saw our flag being worn as ragged T-shirts, brief undershorts, and sweaty bandanas. “It just isn’t right,” she complained. “The flag is a symbol of our country and should be shown more respect.”
Sheila, I heartily agree with you. So much so, in fact, that I quickly pumpkined my annual Halloween column (forgive me, kids) and turned my attention to our flag. So, Old Glory, I call on you to identify yourself and tell us what you do for a living.
“Thank you, Mr. Berger’s Burg for giving me this opportunity to speak to your readers. As you know, my name is Old Glory (among many others). I am the flag of the United States of America. I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand watch in America’s halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.
“I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident, arrogant, and proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to NO ONE! I am recognized all over the world I am saluted, loved, revered respected and feared.
“I have fought in every battle of every war for 225 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Appomattox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, and the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa and Pork Chop Hill. The people of Korea, Vietnam, and Kuwait recognize me as a banner of freedom. I was there as I led my troops.
“I was dirty, battle worn, and tired but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud. I have been burned, torn, trampled and even worn as tattered apparel on the streets of America and in many of the countries I have set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
“I have escaped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. I have borne silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. I have been torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades in the battlefield. I have flown at half-mast to honor my countrymen. I was clutched in the trembling arms of grieving parents at the graves of their fallen sons and daughters, and in the arms of children or spouses who will have to go on without their special loved ones who gave their lives in a national disaster to save the lives of others (as at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11). My name is Old glory. Long may I wave.”
Wow, Old Glory, you certainly carry a lot of history. But now, take a seat on your flagpole as I discuss your family tree, the relatives who preceded you.
It is well-known that the flag is composed of 13 alternating red and white stripes with 50 five-pointed stars on a blue background in the upper left comer. Each star stands for a state in the Union and the stripes represent the original 13 colonies. It is a symbol of United States history and of the fundamental principles on which our nation was founded. But, what about Old Glory’s origin?
The first flag designs were representative of the challenges the early colonists faced in a new land. Plants and animals such as pine trees, beavers, and snakes were common elements. In addition, phrases expressing liberty and other American ideals were often displayed on flags of the period.
In the Revolutionary War, several patriots (not Betsy Ross) made flags. The first flag to bear resemblance to Old Glory was the Grand Union Flag, also called the Congress Colors. It had 13 stripes representing the original colonies and the crosses of St. George of England and St Andrew of Scotland to symbolize union with Great Britain
The Stars and Stripes design was created at the Continental Congress of June 14, 1777 in a resolution stating: “Resolved that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” There is no record of why red, white, and blue were chosen as the colors, but historians think that the red stands for hardiness and courage, the white for purity and innocence, and the blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
After Vermont and Kentucky joined the union the number of stars and stripes was increased to 15. It soon became apparent that the addition of a new star and stripe for each new state would spoil the flag’s true design. It was suggested, and later made a law, that the flag remain at 13 stripes in honor of the original 13 colonies and that a star simply be added to the blue field for each new state. Through the subsequent admissions of other states, up to Hawaii and Alaska, the 13 stripes remained and the total of stars expanded to 50. Quite a bloodline hath our Old Glory.
So although there is a hole in the skyline and a hole in our hearts, we will be whole again As Woodrow Wilson once said, “The flag is meant to stand for the just use of undisputed power. No nation [or terrorist group] is ever going to doubt our power to assert its rights.” Terrorists, beware! Our flag is coming.
So, Old Glory, you are being called upon once again to carry on the grand tradition.
We know you won’t let us down.
Reach columnist Alex Berger by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 139.
