Ours is the only national anthem that celebrates the sight of our flag, blackened by “bombs bursting in air,” as Francis Scott Key watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry while aboard a sloop in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812.
In 1945, the sight of Old Glory planted on the top of Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima signaled for all Americans that we would once again be victorious as World War II drew to a close.
Yes, it is true that every country has a national anthem along with a symbolic flag that is proudly flown on all public buildings and embassies throughout the world. But ours is the only country that has given our flag such a public and private role in our daily life.
Our children begin each school day by pledging their allegiance to our flag. Rare indeed does any public meeting or ceremony begin without professing this same loyalty. Is there any street in our country where the flag is not part of the local landscape? And what other nation sets a day aside for this special tribute?
Surely it is not just chance that Flag Day on June 14 falls between our most solemn holiday, Memorial Day, and our most festive patriotic celebration, Independence Day. Both holidays owe their very existence to the love of liberty symbolized in the stars and stripes of our nation’s banner.
Encourage your local schools to hold special assemblies and programs to teach our youth the meaning of Flag Day. If every American remains true to the principles embodied in our nation’s flag, there is hope that we will always be blessed as “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1333
Catholic War Veterans Post 714