Betsy Ross did not sew the first American flag. The first American flag was designed by George Washington in 1776 to mark the start of the Continental Army. The flag consisted of a Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner; the rest of the field was filled with 13 alternating stripes of red and white. It was known as the Continental Colors. One year later, the Continental Congress passed a flag resolution that was just one sentence long. “The flag should have 13 stripes, alternating red and white and 13 white stars in a field of blue.

Here are some interesting fact about our stars and stripes.

1. The American flag is the first flag to represent the people.

2. It is the only flag to have a national anthem written for it.

3. Why the colors red, white and blue? The truth may never be known, but the prevailing theory is twofold. First the colors were taken directly from the Union Jack. Second is that the blue stood for courage, the white for purity of the event and the red for the sacrifice of the many.

Today our flag, our national symbol, is 50 stars strong. It embodies the free spirit of our nation. Our stars and stripes embody our free spirit. It recognizes honor to those who died so she may fly.

I’m sorry to have to say this point blank. Why aren’t you flying our flag in front of your home, on a pole or a flag just stuck in your front lawn? I drive through my town and see far too many homes without one. This is a free democracy and we have freedom of expression so yes, you don’t have to fly the American flag, but can you tell me why?

Honor our American symbol. Embrace its rich and glorious past and to ensure its future, be part of America. Land of the free, home of the brave.

She is indeed a grand old flag. (You can’t have too many.)

Jerry Funk

Jim Thorpe