The Flag Speaks

I was designed and made by Hopkinson and Ross in 1776—The Flag.
Thirteen stars and thirteen stripes representing those colonies risking everything—property, limbs, and lives for freedom—The Flag.
In 1777 I was raised for the first time in battle—The Flag.
I flew over our Founders as they drafted a Bill of Rights and Constitution to ensure that future generations would have the freedoms they fought for—The Flag.
I flew high and proud but with a broken heart as country man took up arms against country man to ensure all men would be free and equal, as our creator intended—The Flag.
I flew over the nation as they rebuilt the war-torn land and took steps to let go of the bondage of slavery, both slave owners and slaves, and reach out to each other as free and equal people—The Flag.
I have flown proudly as the young nation realized it could never be free while voices were silenced; we welcome the 19th Amendment, we hear the voices of our mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters—The Flag.
I have flown proudly into battles on our shores to defend our freedom—The Flag.
I have flown proudly on foreign shores watching our soldiers fight, fall, and die helping the oppressed have their own country of freedom—The Flag.
I have had many kneeling before me praying and crying at the casket of their loved ones who gave their all—The Flag.
I’ve been gently folded and placed into the hands of the grieving family, a reminder of what their loved one fought and fell for—The Flag.
This country is diverse with many different views, but after the vicious attack of September 11, 2001, I flew from porches, buildings, and yards, reminding the world that: “WE ARE UNITED AND WHEN YOU ATTACK ONE, YOU WILL HEAR FROM ALL”—The Flag.
After September 11th an NFL player gave up his career to defend this nation; a few years later another NFL player started taking a knee as I’m raised. I draped the casket of the hero—The Flag.
I’ve been stepped on, spit upon, burnt, and with disdain had a knee taken as I’m raised in the name of Social Justice—The Flag.
That, my kneeling friend, is true Social Justice—the fact that you have the right to disrespect me—The Flag.
I’ve gained a total of fifty stars, but I will always have thirteen stripes, a reminder of those colonies who faced the greatest army in the world in 1776, with little hope of winning, a great fear of losing, yet had the courage to fight for freedom—The Flag.
Yes, I am the American Flag, my colors don’t run in battle, and I shine a light of hope to the world of what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness looks like.
Sincerely, Your Flag.

Thank you Veterans. Happy Veterans Day.
Sincerely, America, The World, and Kittie Crossen