Americans love our flag. We display it at concerts and stadiums to celebrate, and at times of national tragedy to show our resolve. We have our schoolchildren pledge allegiance to it; we have consecrated it in our national anthem; we have a holiday to honor it ”” Tuesday, in fact. Yet the iconography and history of the American flag, especially its early history, are infused with myth and misrepresentation. Here are five of the most prevalent myths….
Not Betsy Ross! That calls my whole grade-school social studies education into question!
They can say what they want about our Flag, but to those of us who have served our country under that Flag, it means much more than it does to the average citizen. We have sacrificed our health in battle while serving under that Flag, we have endured long and painful separations from our families while serving under that Flag, and millions of our comrades iin arms……men and women alike…..have made the Supreme Sacrifice while serving under that Flag. Many of us alive today are continually reminded of what it has cost, and many millions more will be buried in ceremonies where that Flag is used in memory of those who will be laid to rest in our nation’s cemeteries where that Flag is so proudly flown. Weep not for the fallen. Be proud of them. Rather, weep for our country, should we ever forget or ignore the things for which our Flag stands. [b]The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance.[/b]
There is nothing mythical about this.