The dream of America’s Founding Fathers was freedom for all: Flag Day celebration

Written by Stephanie DeGraw
June 15, 2023

ST. GEORGE — Independence and unity came to life for the 246th anniversary of the American flag at the St. George Seniors Active Life Center Wednesday. 

The Daughters and the Sons of the American Revolution honored veterans during a Flag Day program, St. George, Utah, June 14, 2023 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

“Our American flag encompasses the dreams of our Founding Fathers, which was freedom for all and the heroic effort and blood of all patriots, military and civilian, in their struggle against tyranny to achieve this dream, this freedom,” Karen Mangano, Color Country Chapter regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution said. “The American flag is a symbol and reminder that we live in a country with a constitution that protects individual liberties.”

The DAR chapter hosted the third annual event and presented awards to veterans who have served in the U.S. military for 50 years and those who fly the flag properly, according to the U.S. Flag Code.

Mangano said she remembered as a child in first grade, at the beginning of class each day, she and her classmates would stand up, put their hand on our hearts and recite the Pledge of Allegiance: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

“We have a God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Mangano said.

She added that St. George and Washington County are very patriotic. 

Daughters and their mother who are members of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored veterans during a Flag Day program (L to R) , St. George, Utah, June 14, 2023 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

“We believe in America, the red, white and blue,” Mangano said. “Today, we’re here to celebrate all of the residents in Washington County that fly their American flag proudly and according to the flag code. This is a very special year because it was 100 years ago that the U.S. flag code was adopted.”

National Flag Day honors Old Glory and the adoption of the United States flag in 1777. The holiday was created for Americans to respect the American flag and what it represents. Betsy Ross has been given credit for stitching together the first patriotic banner. According to the website National Day Calendar, several designs were in consideration simultaneously. 

The program’s guest speaker Scott Nielson said people could learn from America’s founders about the issue of not being a divided nation. In the country’s early years, John Adams looked past his disagreement with people. The speaker said it was after the Boston massacre that five men lay dead, but eight more soon could be killed because the British soldiers involved in the killings faced trial and the death penalty with slim chances of success.

“These were cases that no lawyer wanted to take, but despite losing his son recently, despite this being the beginning of a promising legal career, one man, John Adams took all eight of those cases,” he said. “Adams was able to look past his disagreement with people who fought against everything he stood for and see them as people every bit as deserving of justice as you or I. Looking past our differences like John Adams today, we too can overcome differences of opinion.”

The American flag has been officially modified 26 times since 1777. For 47 years, the 48-star flag was in effect. In 1959, the 49-star version became official on July 4. President Eisenhower ordered the 50-star flag on Aug. 21, 1959. And according to National Day Calendar, the winner of the 1,500 submitted designs came from seventeen-year-old Robert G.

Flag Day was made official on May 30, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation deeming June 14 as Flag Day.

President Wilson stated, “It is the anniversary of the day upon which the Congress adopted the flag of the United States as the emblem of the Union.” He also wrote, “On that day rededicate ourselves to the nation, ‘one and inseparable’ from which every thought that is not worthy of our fathers’ first vows in independence, liberty, and right shall be excluded and in which we shall stand with united hearts.”

Poem read by Valerie King and Billion Johnston

My Name is Old Glory
by Howard Schnauber

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.
I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
Look up! And see me!

I stand for peace – honor – truth and justice.
I stand for freedom
I am confident – I am arrogant
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners
My head is a little higher
My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped – I am saluted – I am respected
I am revered – I am loved, and I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:
Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the rice paddies
and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal, New
Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.
And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.
I was there.

I led my soldiers – I followed them. I watched over them. They loved me.
I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.
I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me, and I was proud.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of
countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country,
and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle – it hurts.
But I shall overcome- for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the
uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have been a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.

But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used
for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,
When I fly at half-mast to honor my soldiers,
And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother
at the graveside of her fallen son.

I am proud.
My name is “Old Glory.”
Long may I wave
Dear God, long may I wave.

Photo gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephanie DeGraw is an award-winning journalist. For 25 years, she engaged in journalism, broadcasting and public relations. DeGraw worked for the Salt Lake Tribune, Associated Press and The City Journals. She was a reporter for a CBS television station in Twin Falls, Idaho. She graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and Broadcasting.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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