July 4th. It’s a familiar date. It’s when we celebrate the beginning of our independence as a country. It’s a date that has come to signify freedom, ‘the American way,’ hot dogs, fireworks, and quality time with friends and family. More than anything, it’s a date that offers us a chance to reflect on the… continue
On Flag Day more than 100 years ago, Franklin K. Lane, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, delivered a stirring address about the American flag to more than 1,000 of his employees. His words are even more patriotic when his birthplace is considered: Prince Edward Island. At the time, that made him a British citizen (the… continue
“Back in 1775, my Marine Corps came alive. First, there came the color red…” Actually, first…there came the Army. I love the Corps and I loved wearing the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. But the Marines weren’t the first to fight in the Revolutionary War. That honor goes to the Army. On June 14th, the United… continue
The 15th state to join the Union is Kentucky, something that might surprise people who imagine that all the earliest members of the United States were strung along on the East Coast. While its statehood was early, Kentucky’s flag took many years to evolve. Indeed, the first 14 states were lined up along the Atlantic… continue
Every year, more than 100,000 people tour the U.S. Naval Academy Museum in Annapolis, Maryland. Its website notes that there are “exhibits about the history of seapower, the development of the U.S. Navy, and the role of the U.S. Naval Academy in producing officers.” In addition, the museum houses a treasure trove of historic flags…. continue