Proud To Be an American

[proud2b4family]

I'm Rob and I'm proud to be an American. I'm currently a BSA Assistant Scoutmaster in Illinois and looking to update/review my knowledge on flag etiquette.

I'm also looking for ideas on how to better represent our flag as well as how to influence and persuade others to a) fly our flag proudly in front of their homes and b) stop displaying it in ways that desecrate or denigrate the flag.

[NAVA1974]

I'm also looking for ideas on how to better represent our flag as well as how to influence and persuade others to a) fly our flag proudly in front of their homes and b) stop displaying it in ways that desecrate or denigrate the flag.

I suggest you teach them the history of our flag. The flags of the colonial powers; American flags under the British; Flags of revolution; origin of the Stars and Stripes (do NOT mention the Betsy Ross fairy tale); War of 1812 and the Star Spangled Banner; Highlight the heroic actions of Union Soldiers during the American Civil War who fought and died for the flag[emphasizing that they DID die for the flag, not just the ideals the flag stood for, not just for their fellow soldiers, but they died protecting the flag]; growth of our flag with new states; the flag on the moon; flag protection proposals; etc., etc.

Nick

[proud2b4family]

Thanks for the suggestions. Tell me more about what you mentioned about Besty Ross. I always loved that story, but am not familiar at all with the idea it was a fairy tale.

[Greengo]

Thanks for the suggestions. Tell me more about what you mentioned about Besty Ross. I always loved that story, but am not familiar at all with the idea it was a fairy tale.

I just checked this out myself. Check it out,

Betsy Ross Homepage

Greengo

[NAVA1974]

Tell me more about what you mentioned about Besty Ross. I always loved that story, but am not familiar at all with the idea it was a fairy tale.

Thanks to Greengo for the link to the Betsy Ross homepage. However, that site minimizes the fact that no one had ever heard of Betsy Ross and her connection with the "first American Flag" until 1870 when her grandson told the story to the PA Historical Society. No one today disputes that Betsy Ross made and sold flags, or that she very likely sewed flags of 13 stars and 13 stripes for various customers. But there's no period evidence that George Washington and a "Flag Committee" ever visited her to discuss the design and manufacture of the first stars and stripes.

Is it possible that Ms. Ross sewed the first flag of 13 stars and 13 stripes? Of course it is. There were a number of seamstresses making flags in the city at that time, and any one of them could have got the order. As Betsy was listed in city directories as an upholsterer, she must have had great skill with needle and thread. Her husband and other relatives also had government connections. But historic fact cannot rely on the memories of aged descendants and supposed connections. The story told by Betsy's relatives connecting her to the first American flag, nearly one hundred years after the events in question, needs to be taken with a grain of salt.

[proud2b4family]

Interesting. I never would have thought to question that history as a legend. Here's another article I found. Lots of things need to be taken with a grain of salt these days. Hard to tell what's revisionist history for the sake of altering American patriotism vs. what is a simple revision based on documented/undocumented items.