The Revolutionary War was raging on this date, June 14, back in 1777. And it was on this date 233 years ago that the Continental Congress authorized the United States flag — an event that we now mark each June 14 as Flag Day.
Our flag has endured — with its number of stars growing along with the number of states — through times of war and depression, as well as through times of peace and plenty.
It has also survived attacks not only by foreign enemies but from within our nation. From time to time, some Americans who don’t understand the United States’ unique heritage of freedom have sought to distress patriotic Americans by burning or otherwise desecrating the flag — falsely labeling that just another form of “free speech.” Their approach is not only extremely troubling but misguided, because respect for the flag as a symbol of our country certainly does not mean one must agree with every policy of our government.
Others have tried — fortunately without success — to ban the recitation in public schools of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, because the pledge contains the words “under God.” They misconstrue the First Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and forbids government establishment of a state religion. The voluntary recitation of the pledge in public schools, in Congress or in some other public institution is a far cry from the establishment of a state church that the Constitution forbade.
Still others have wrongly diluted the preeminence of our flag by belligerently raising the flags of other nations on U.S. soil at rallies in support of illegal aliens. While there is room for disagreement on the issue of immigration, that disagreement should not be used as an excuse to treat the U.S. flag with disrespect.
There are, of course, many important symbols of the United States: The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the bald eagle all come to mind. But perhaps none is more instantly recognized at home and abroad than the American flag.
We should honor it today and every day!