A National Symbol: American Flag Tribute by Charles Evans Hughes [National Flag Foundation]

Note: This eloquent expression of what the flags we are waving and displaying stands for was quoted in an interesting and worthwhile little book named The Flag, The Poet, and The Song: The Story of The Star-Spangled Banner by Irvin Molotsky.

The flag is the symbol of our national unity, our national endeavor, our national aspiration.

The flag tells of the struggles for independence, of union preserved, of liberty and union and inseparable, of the sacrifices of brave men and women to whom the ideals and honor of this nation have been dearer than life.

It means America first; it means an individual allegiance.

It means America united, strong and efficient, equal to her tasks.

It means that you cannot be saved by the valor and devotion of your ancestors, that to each generation comes its patriotic duty; and that upon your willingness to sacrifice and endure as those before you have sacrificed and endured results rests the national hope. It speaks of equal rights, of the inspiration of free institutions exemplified and vindicated, of liberty under law intelligently conceived and impartially administrated. There is not a thread in it but scorns self-indulgence, weakness, and rapacity. It is eloquent of our community interests, outweighing all divergencies of opinion, and of our common destiny.

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