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Dorothy
Brush
"Random Thoughts"
Published July 3, 2002 |
Happy birthday, America!
The July 4, 1934 issue of the Crossville Chronicle
noted that the Rev. J.G. Wilson always flew two flags on the
Fourth. One was a new one, the other was a veteran among flags.
Red, white and blue faded by years and the white stars dim and
misty like the eyes of an old, old soldier. It was made in 1840
for Alford Tiffany Wilson, Susquehanna County, PA, grandfather
of Wilson. It has 36 stars, 10 are painted on since the flag
was made with stars in a circle instead of rows as now. This
flag has been taken to all national celebrations in Pennsylvania
Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and now Tennessee. The Rev. Wilson
also has an old army canteen that served in the Revolutionary
War and the old army musket carried by his father Alfred Wilson
in the Civil War. I wonder if that flag or the other artifacts
are still in Crossville.
It has been asked if it is proper to display a flag with fewer
than 50 stars. An expert in vexillology, the scientific study
of flags, the answer is, yes it is proper.
On Flag Day, June 14, 1980 an editorial by Chronicle editor
Richard Davis explained that Flag Day was the beginning of a
national 21-day salute to honor America. The American Historic
and Cultural Society introduced the idea and urged the president
and all government heads, federal, state and local, to plan special
events during that period.
As part of their continuing program to honor America, the
group adopted a colorful insignia. Because the eagle is a symbol
of power, courage and freedom, they chose an eagle as the centerpiece
of the insignia in tribute to the founding fathers. The emblem
was done in the nation's colors with the eagle in red and white
profiled against a bell-shaped blue background dotted with 13
white stars, representing the original American colonies. A ring
of 50 gold stars encircled the insignia.
In his editorial Davis wrote he believed all Americans should
pause and reflect on the ideals represented by our flag. "For
it isn't the flag that is imperfect, nor the ideals for which
it stands. All of us at one time or another have been found lacking
in taking actions to assure that the ideals of 1776 are not only
realized but become a genuine part of our lives, day in and day
out."
The editorial ended with a quotation from George Washington.
"We should all be Americans.
Let there be no sectionalism, no north, south, east or west.
You are all independent, one on another and should be one union.
In one word, be a nation; be American and be true to yourselves."
Independence Day 2002 will be celebrated in traditional ways
but the shadow of Sept. 11, 2001 will temper the day's festivities.
What better time to give serious thought to what America means
to you? Washington's words are a good starting point and are
bolstered by words from Henry Ward Beecher:
"A thoughtful mind, when it sees the nation's flag, sees
not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be
its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag of the
government the principles, the truths, the history which belongs
to the nation that sets it forth."
Happy birthday, America!
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Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville
Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.
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