WQ - Salute The Flag

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I'm participating in the Wednesday Quotes link-up hosted by Marsha at Always Write. 

What a timely theme we are looking at this week―flags. Americans and Canadians alike had opportunities this past week to proudly wave their nation's flags and express some patriotism. Since I am a Canadian by birth and an American by citizenship, I took part in celebrating Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day on July 4th. It turns out it was easier to find quotes referencing Old Glory than those related to the Maple Leaf flag, and an awful lot of the quotes tagged 'flag' were actually about activist flags of some kind. I prefer to keep the focus on the national flags, and I'm also intrigued by state and provincial flags. In fact, one of my favorite internet black holes is the Sporcle site quizzes about flags. But, I digress. Let's look at some quotes and some photos and maybe a few snippets of history, and I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Or attempt to.

Whether you call it The Stars & Stripes, Old Glory, or The Star-Spangled Banner, the American flag is the one we celebrated just yesterday.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

There is much more to being a patriot and a citizen than reciting the pledge or raising a flag. ~Jesse Ventura

Choosing to disrespect our flag is an over-generalized indictment of the greatest nation on Earth. ~Matt Gaetz

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Act of 1777. This resolution established an official flag for the new nation and specified that the flag . . .

be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.

The new national flag became known as the Stars and Stripes, and was based on the "Grand Union" flag, which was a banner carried by the Continental Army in 1776 that was thirteen red and white stripes.

The design stayed the same for until 1794, when two stars and two stripes were added to represent Kentucky and Vermont as the newest states in the union. New stars and stripes were added to represent more new additions, until 1818, when Congress enacted a law restoring the original thirteen stripes, and stating that only stars be added to represent new states.

The Star-spangled Banner displayed at Fort McHenry.

I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it's marked by the blood of those who died defending it. ~John Thune

I see Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together: black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; young. old; gay, straight; men, women, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance under the same proud flag to this big, bold country that we love. That's what I see. That's the America I know! ~Barack Obama

Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I'm not ashamed of that, never have been, never will be. ~John Wayne

For more details on Standards of Respect and Flag Etiquette, visit USFlag.org.

For more info on the American flag and its history see my article Flag Day at Homeschool Coffee Break.

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I salute the flag, the emblem of my country; and to Canada, I pledge my love and loyalty.*

There has been a flag flying in Canada since the 1600s, but the earliest flags were the French Fleur-de-Lis and the British Cross of St. George. The Union Jack was the flag adopted once Canada was established under British rule as part of the Commonwealth. In 1964―quite recently!―the Canadian government decided Canada needed a flag truly its own. Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson asked for designs to be submitted, and a version of today's flag was chosen. A single red maple leaf on a white background, between red borders.

Under this flag may our youth find new inspiration for loyalty to Canada; for a patriotism based not on any mean or narrow nationalism, but on the deep and equal pride that all Canadians will feel for every part of this good land. ~Lester B. Pearson

The flag is the symbol of the nation's unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without the distinction of race, language, belief or opinion. ~Honourable Maurice Bourget

I'm a Canadian. Outside Canada I carry the flag. Canadian nationalism isn't as insidious as American nationalism, though. It's good natured. It's all about maple syrup, not war. ~Feist

*This is a commonly used and suggested text, but Canada does not have an official pledge of allegiance to the flag.

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A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation's flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself. ~Henry Ward Beecher

One of my favorite parts of the Olympic games is the parade of nations. I love seeing all the athletes and participants from the nations marching into the stadium, smiling and excited and proud to be representing their country. It's a huge honor for the athlete chosen to carry the flag in the opening and closing ceremonies. Isn't it also quite moving to see the reactions of athletes as their country's flag is raised and the anthem is played to recognize a gold medal performance? No matter what our opinion of any particular country, its people have a measure of love and pride in the flag and that moment should be respected. 

May we shout for joy over your victory

 and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

 May the LORD grant all your requests.

~Psalm 20:5~

And one day, all of us who belong to God's Kingdom will be able to shout for joy as his flag is raised in victory. What a day that will be! And there won't be any failings or shortcomings to cause us a twinge of shame at what others may think of our flag. 

They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,

For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD

As the waters cover the sea.

Then on that day

The nations will resort to the root of Jesse,

Who will stand as a signal flag for the peoples;

And His resting place will be glorious.

Then it will happen on that day that the Lord

Will again recover with His hand the second time

The remnant of His people who will remain, . . .

And He will lift up a flag for the nations

And assemble the banished ones of Israel,

And will gather the dispersed of Judah

From the four corners of the earth.

~Isaiah 11:9-12~

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And may I leave you with some patriotic music? Please enjoy:

 

Wednesday Quotes is hosted by Marsha at Always Write. This post will be linked at #WQ #27: Flags

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