A Message From NFRW President Julie Harris
I recently had the privilege of speaking at a Flag Day event. Though not a federal holiday, Flag Day has been celebrated nationally on June 14 since President Woodrow Wilson established it as a national observance in 1916. It is a day worthy of our time to reflect on the historical context and profound meaning that gave rise to our beloved “Stars & Stripes.”
Before the creation of the American flag, the colonists were fighting the War of Independence under their individual flags. Each colony would fly its own flag over colonial vessels. England considered these armed vessels to be pirate ships. As a result, they would capture these ships, hang their crews, and seize their property.
Recognizing the need for a unified army, the Second Continental Congress met in June 1777 in Philadelphia to establish the Continental Army. This unified army would require organization, strength, determination, and fierceness to defeat the British Army and win independence. This new unified army required a symbol that would embody the vision of our new nation.
The Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777, stated, "Resolved: that the flag of the United States 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 American flag would bring unity and offer status and protection to colonies and their vessels. It warned our foes and assured our citizens that democracy lives and will be defended.
Recognizing the American flag as a new constellation was intentional, not just a clever play on words. It symbolizes unity, strength, and hope, just as the constellations in the night sky represent guidance and direction. Our founding fathers understood the potential power of the new nation they envisioned. They designed a national flag to embody the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Just as ancient constellations guided navigators across the seas, the American flag was intended to serve as a beacon of hope. It represented everything our founding fathers envisioned for us today. The ideas and principles embodied in our flag are what turn the American dream into an American reality.
We are truly blessed to be living in the greatest nation on earth. Let us celebrate the American flag not only on Flag Day but throughout the year as a reminder of the enduring values that shape our country. Let us display our flags proudly and leave them waving all year long.