Fly our Nation's Flag with Pride

Fly our Nation's Flag with Pride

News from Congressman Charlie Dent
Pennsylvania 15th District

June 14 2005

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress of the newly formed United States adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of our fledgling country.

We commemorate this day, Flag Day, with the prominent display of this symbol of unity. The red and white stripes in the flag represent the original 13 colonies that forged this experiment in freedom, through valor and purity of purpose. In the field of blue, one star represents each state within our Union taking its place among the world's nations. No other flag is so representative of a nation and its people: Strength, unity and independence.

We may recall the most striking images associated with Old Glory: Neil Armstrong raising her on the moon in 1969; New York City firemen lifting her above Ground Zero in 2001; and of course, our national anthem describing the view of our flag lit by artillery fire during the siege of Fort McHenry in 1812, and its triumphant display in the early morning light.

These dramatic images have one common theme: the reassurance that when Americans stand united, we are far greater than the sum of our parts.

We live in a time of conflict - external and internal - when we sometimes concentrate too much on what divides us. Today, fly the Stars and Stripes with pride and confidence that what unites is far stronger.

Respectfully,
U.S. Rep. Charles W. Dent

http://dent.house.gov/pr-061405.shtml