Old Glory

Flag Day is coming up next week on June 14th!  What a great time to teach our kiddos about the magestic symbol of our nation.  The flag is especially important to our family since we are a military family.  We treasure the flag because it is the symbol of freedom that my husband is fighting for as a Marine.  Let’s show our pride and wave our flags on June 14th!

So what exactly is Flag Day?  Let’s take a look back a few hundred years….

The first flag is believed to be made by Betsy Ross and later,Congress first approved the flag on June 14,1777.  This date is now observed as Flag Day throughout the United States to celebrate the symbol of our country. It was first stated that there be a star and stripe for each state,making thirteen of both. Over the years,the number of stars has been changed to include one star for each of the 50 states,while the stripes remained the same to represent the 13 original colonies.  Later,the colors of the flag were given special meaning. The red is for valor and zeal –white is for hope,purity,and cleanliness of life –and blue,the color of heaven,loyalty,sincerity,justice,and truth.   The name “OLD GLORY”was given to our National Flag on August 10,1831.   The flag means the spirit of liberty and human freedom.

Now it’s time to show a little patriotism!  Get a couple of miniature flags, wear your red,white,and blue, and have a little parade around the living room!  My parents do this with the kids and they just love marching around the house waving their flag proudly as we all sing ”You’re A Grand Old Flag!”  What a fun way to show the kids how we are proud of our country and love being Americans!

You’re a Grand Old Flag

You’re a grand old flag,
You’re a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You’re the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
Ev’ry heart beats true
‘neath the Red,White and Blue,
Where there’s never a boast or brag.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
Keep your eye on the grand old flag.