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FYI: The union of the flag is the
field of white stars on blue, that is placed at the upper left
in the field of
thirteen alternating red and white stripes.
The
American Flag
Old Glory - Ensign - Standard - Banner - Emblem
- Colours -
Red, White, and Blue
- Colors -
Stars and Stripes
- Star Spangled Banner
National emblem -
Pennant -
National Ensign
The United States Flag
Pledge of Allegiance
"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."
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United
States of America
National
Anthem
Star Spangled Banner
by Frances Scott Key
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight'
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.
And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen, thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream;
'Tis the star-spangled banner: oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand,
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that has made and preserved us as a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause 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.
Tune: Anacreon in Heaven
Written by Francis
Scott Key on September 14th,1814.
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Flags
of the United States
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Other Flags of the United States
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Flags
of the 50 United States
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Old Glory
This famous name was coined by Captain
William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem,
Massachusetts, in 1831. As he was leaving on one of his many voyages aboard the
brig CHARLES DOGGETT - and this one would climax with the rescue of the
mutineers of the BOUNTY - some friends presented him with a beautiful
flag of twenty four stars. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze for the
first time, he exclaimed "Old Glory!"
He retired to Nashville in 1837, taking his treasured flag from his sea days
with him. By the time the Civil War erupted, most everyone in and around
Nashville recognized Captain Driver's "Old Glory." When Tennessee
seceded from the Union, Rebels were determined to destroy his flag, but repeated
searches revealed no trace of the hated banner.
Then on February 25th, 1862, Union forces captured Nashville and raised the
American flag over the capital. It was a rather small ensign and immediately
folks began asking Captain Driver if "Old Glory" still existed. Happy
to have soldiers with him this time, Captain Driver went home and began ripping
at the seams of his bedcover. As the stitches holding the quilt-top to the
batting unraveled, the onlookers peered inside and saw the 24-starred original
"Old Glory"!
Captain Driver gently gathered up the flag and returned with the soldiers to
the capitol. Though he was sixty years old, the Captain climbed up to the tower
to replace the smaller banner with his beloved flag. The Sixth Ohio Regiment
cheered and saluted - and later adopted the nickname "Old Glory" as
their own, telling and re-telling the story of Captain William Driver's devotion to the
flag we honor yet today.
Captain William Driver's grave is located in the old Nashville City Cemetery, and is
one of three (3) places authorized by act of Congress where the Flag of the
United States may be flown 24 hours a day.
I have so far been unable to determine where "Old Glory" resides
today. A caption above a faded black and white picture in the book, The Stars
and the Stripes, says only that " 'Old Glory' may no longer be opened to be
photographed, and no color photograph is available." Visible in the photo
in the lower right corner of the canton is an appliquéd anchor, Captain Driver's
very personal note. "Old Glory" is the most illustrious of a number of
flags - both Northern and Confederate - reputed to have been similarly hidden,
then later revealed as times changed.
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Folding the Flag
How to fold the flag is under Flag
Etiquette
The meaning of the thirteen folds is not for the original
thirteen colonies.
This poetic rendition is by this PoetPatriot.
Thirteen
Folds
rewritten by Roger W Hancock
In
folding America’s flag, not many know the meaning,
Tribute
to early society’s social principle values.
Held
in respect, stretched flat, freedom’s sentry standard.
Life’s
symbol folded first, lateral first in half.
Parallels
the ground once folded, that one day we will too,
Symbolize
eternal life belief, we half the flag again.
Veterans
gift; portion of lives, defending free America,
World
peace enforced, angled thirdly folded . . . honors.
Angle
fourth, our weaker nature, trusting God,
To
Him turn in peace, in war, for His, divine guidance.
Fifth
a tribute; America’s might, “May she always be right:
But
it is still our country right or wrong.” [Stephan Decatur]
Angled
sixth lay our hearts with we 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.”
Armed
Forces, seventh fold salute, protects our countries flag,
From
enemies, found within, without; free Republic boundaries.
“Valley
of the shadow of death,” entered, to see the light of day,
Eighth
crease honors mothers, whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
Ninth
tribute made, womanhood: faith, love, loyalty, devotion;
Molded
character of men and women who made this country great.
Tenth
tribute given father, patriot offers sons and daughters,
From
birth for liberty, defending America, “sea to shining sea.”
Eleventh
fold represents bottom of Kings David and Solomon’s seal,
Glorify
in the Hebrews’ eye, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Eternity
and Glory twelfth fold presents, in eyes of Christendom,
God
the Father, His Son Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Stars
uppermost, remember our motto, “In God We Trust,”
Thirteen
folds, completed task, in reverence, flag now folded.
Ready
for rest in folded state, triangle banner; cocked hat,
Reminds
us: soldiers, sailors . . . marines that served,
Under
General George Washington, Captain John Paul Jones.
Those
that follow since, through peace and war, have served,
For
our liberty . . . rights and privileges . . . we enjoy today.
Copyright
March 14, 2004 Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com
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America
the Beautiful
by
Katharine Lee Bates
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1 |
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea! |
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2 |
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned - stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law! |
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3 |
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self the country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine! |
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4 |
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea! |
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5 |
O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea! |
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6 |
O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America ! America !
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee! |
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7 |
O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice, for man's avail
Men lavished precious life !
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free! |
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8 |
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee! |
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Flag Poetry
by this PoetPatriot
Roger W Hancock
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by Roger W Hancock
"Red is
for Bravery";
blood
shed in sacrifice.
Freedom came with lives the price.
"White is
for Liberty";
freedom's
purity.
Life be free from God's decree.
"Blue
is for Justice";
as
vast as the sky.
Over freedom's land to occupy.
©
12-22-2001 Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com
Our
Flag
by Roger W Hancock
Our
country’s flag, a banner heralds,
equality
learned, equality seeks.
Represents
created rights,
out
of oppression came foresight.
Our
nation’s flag may not be liked,
but
has respect through out the world.
Power
exists when premise just,
victory
came when right entrust.
The
colors evoke the pride in us.
Patriotism;
red, white and blue.
Right
prevails when self, denied,
then
rights for all are fortified.
© 6-16-2001
Roger W Hancock
www.PoetPatriot.com |
Our Pride, Our Flag
by Roger W Hancock
The
American Flag means much to all,
opportunity
for some, to better their lot.
Life
in freedom the dream to live out,
ponder
the Red, White and Blue.
Sacrifice
of blood the seed of liberty,
responsibility
to all to keep the treasure.
Fight
or vote your duty is sure.
Pay
tribute to the Red, White and Blue.
Bravery
in sacrifice displayed by red,
purity
of liberty, shown in white.
Justice
for all within the blue.
Freedom
colors; Red, White and Blue.
One
star now for each of fifty states,
First
thirteen states one stripe for each.
Unity
in diversity is our union’s strength.
Power
shown in the Red, White and Blue.
The
union of white stars on blue,
when
flag displayed, is on the left.
Red,
white stripes stretching right.
Display
it right the Red, White and Blue.
As
we read from left to right,
display
the flag to prominent left.
When
on the platform it’s to your right.
Salute
with pride the Red, White and Blue.
The
American Flag the pride of all,
of
conservative right to liberal left.
Consider
freedom, consider truth,
do
it proud for the Red, White and Blue.
© 12-23-2001 Roger
W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com |
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One Flag
by Roger W Hancock
One
flag over one land,
One
flag, our ever-loving freedom.
One
flag evangelize,
One
flag to teach world peace.
One
flag alone stands tall,
One
flag in righteousness.
One
flag when tattered shows,
One
flag over struggling rights.
One
flag of history’s pride,
One
flag over any other.
One
flag, remembrance,
One
flag, freedom’s sacrifice.
One
flag alone stands tall,
One
flag; the red, white, and blue.
One
flag, one heart, one hand,
One
flag over this great land.
One
flag in protest fly,
One
flag, responsible liberty.
One
flag, my God allows,
One
flag, my worship free.
One
flag, Old Glory,
One
flag, American banner.
One
flag, one nation’s flag;
I
pledge to this one flag.
Ó
June 15, 2003 Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com
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Liberty
Symbolic
by Roger W Hancock
On
the pole atop, above,
a
standard, banner heralds.
Waving,
flapping spread by wind,
majestic
in itself, representing liberty.
Rights
to those who enjoy,
freedom,
liberty, embodied.
Flying
high, symbolic cloth waves,
respect
of the premise, our flag salute.
Standing
tall on Ellis Island,
the
statute of our Lady Liberty.
Freedom’s
flame and dated book,
a
tribute gift to depict our land of liberty.
Immigrants
seeking rights,
opportunity
availed by freedom.
Welcoming
world’s downtrodden,
adorned
to remind all, of our freedom.
Quietly
setting no longer ring,
freedom’s
tocsin our Liberty Bell.
Quietly
reminds with crack to proclaim,
price
once paid yet still a price for liberty.
Ding,
dong; hear the ring,
freedom,
responsibility defends.
Liberty
remains when we maintain,
and
pay the continual cost for our liberty.
Tribute
to the God of all,
freedom
for each to worship.
From
the alpha came our freedom,
on
our value tokens, “In God We Trust”.
© 3-20-2002 Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com |
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Pride’s Flag
by Roger W Hancock
Red
soiled sacrifice.
White
freedom rights.
Blue
equitable skies.
Colors
now emblazoned,
Represents
a righteous nation.
Truth
on which to stand,
Diversity
over this great land.
America,
land of free,
World’s
true land of liberty.
No
other nation compares,
Generosity
shows the care.
Statue
of Liberty a gift,
Symbol
sentry freedom’s shift.
Scrutiny
of freedom’s eye,
Eagle’s
eye of liberty… aye, aye.
Captains
of our destiny,
Freedom’s
responsibility.
Of
this land I sing,
Sweetness
on freedom wings.
Together
free society,
With
our individuality.
Sewn
in colored hue,
Pride
displayed on staff,
Our
red, white, and blue.
Ó
September 13, 2003 Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com |
Red
White and Blue
by Roger W Hancock
Stars
and Stripes, clear blue skies,
Reminding glorious blessings,
Wind whipped, waving free.
Grand flag silhouette, sunset red,
Reminding Scarlet price paid.
Wind whipped, waving free.
Banner, white puffed clouds,
Highlighting Nation’s glory.
Wind whipped, waving free.
Stars and Stripes, clear free skies.
Ó
April 23, 2003 Roger W Hancock www.PoetPatriot.com
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Shining
Flight
by Roger W Hancock
This
banner to which I salute,
Embodies
the liberty, I enjoy.
Thirteen
stars now fifty shine,
Two
centuries greatness grown.
Flag
shines as a steeple’s cross,
Sacrifice
of brave men’s death.
Standard
symbol of liberty,
To
the world, freedom flow.
Flag
raised and lowered half,
I
pay respect to patriot gone.
Freely
fly without oppression,
May
I never, take for granted.
Ó
Copyright March 5, 2004
Roger W Hancock
www.PoetPatriot.com
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Colors
Fast
by
Roger W Hancock
Three
colors represent,
Sacrifice
of men, who spent,
Life
and lives for colors fast.
You…
I in freedom see,
Colors
fast in liberty.
Red
blood bravery spills,
Young
patriot lives.
White,
righteous purity;
Under
God’s sovereignty.
Blue,
true to allegiance;
Prevails
American justice.
American
flag of liberty;
Red,
white stripes, thirteen,
White
stars against blue sky.
Standard
banner waves,
Freely
fly in open skies.
ÓCopyright
June 9, 2004 Roger W Hancock
www.PoetPatriot.com
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