American Patriotism, Ole Glory,A Flags Voice

Part 3: A Symbol of Unity

Ole Glory, A Flags Voice

Dear Patriots, dear Americans,"

Old Glory whispered, her voice imbued with the soft confidence of time itself.

"Though we've never spoken, we share a deep and enduring bond. I daresay I know you perhaps better than you know me. I feel it's time for a reintroduction, for it seems some may have forgotten who I truly am, where I've come from, and the ideals I steadfastly represent.

"Before my birth, a wave of spiritual fervor swept across the land,"

says Ole Glory, as her voice is resonating with echoes of the past.

"This was the Great Awakening, a time of religious revival that stirred the souls of the people. It was not merely a shift from institutionalized religion to a personal relationship with God, but also a profound transformation in how people viewed their place in the world. It was a time when the seeds of independence were first sown, as men and women began to question authority, assert their rights, and envision a new kind of freedom. It was during this time that the ideals I would come to represent - freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - were first kindled in the hearts of the people."

"Then came the spark of revolution,"

Ole Glory continues.

"The year was 1775, and the American colonies were on the brink of a great upheaval. As the spirit of independence swept across the land, new flags began to fly, each one a symbol of the colonies' growing desire for freedom."

"The first of these was the Continental Colors, also known as the Grand Union Flag. It was a symbol of unity, its thirteen stripes representing the thirteen colonies. But in the corner, it still bore the Union Jack, a reminder of the ties that still bound the colonies to Britain."

"Then came the Liberty Flag, designed by Colonel William Moultrie in preparation for war. It was a blue flag with a white crescent in the corner, and within the crescent, the word 'LIBERTY' was written. This flag flew proudly at the Battle of Sullivan's Island, a symbol of the liberty the colonists were fighting to protect."

"Another flag born in this era was the Gadsden Flag, designed by Christopher Gadsden. It was a yellow flag, bearing the image of a coiled rattlesnake and the words 'DON'T TREAD ON ME.' The rattlesnake, a symbol of the American colonies, was ready to strike if provoked, just as the colonies were ready to fight for their rights."

"Each of these flags told a story of the growing spirit of independence in the American colonies. Each one was a declaration of the values that I would soon come to represent: freedom, liberty, unity, and the pursuit of happiness. And each one was a precursor to my own creation.”

"In the hearts and minds of the newly established American patriots, a powerful spirit was taking shape. It was a spirit of unwavering strength, a beacon of freedom, independence, liberty, unity, and the pursuit of happiness. This was the resounding echo of the American spirit, the very essence I was born to represent. In 1777, under the skilled hands of Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, I came into being. As the newly adopted flag of the burgeoning United States, I became the symbol of a nation and the embodiment of its ideals."

"For centuries, I have soared above this nation, a steadfast symbol of unity, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. I have witnessed the ebb and flow of time, the rise and fall of generations, the unfolding of a history both triumphant and tragic. I have seen peace descend upon the land like a gentle dew at dawn, and I have seen war tear through the heart of the nation like a storm. I have been there in moments of unbridled joy, and I have been there in moments of profound sorrow."

"I have been present at every battlefield, from the bloody fields of the Civil War where brother fought against brother, to the distant shores where brave souls battled tyranny. I have seen the nation torn asunder, and I have seen it heal,stitched back together by the threads of resilience and unity. Each time, the sight of such discord and its aftermath filled me with a profound sadness, yet also a sense of enduring hope.

I have been a silent witness to the hardships endured by the American people throughout history. I was there during the Great Depression, a symbol of resilience as families huddled together against the biting cold of poverty. I was there during the Civil Rights Movement, a banner of unity as voices rose in a chorus for equality and justice. I was there during the attacks on September 11, a symbol of defiance and strength amidst the rubble and ashes. I’m there now when many look for answers regarding who was responsible.”

"I was there when American Patriots conducted combat operations in Ramadi in 2006, standing tall, brothers in arms alongside each other. I was there they returned home, the weight of war heavy within them, a burden shared by millions of other American veterans. I was there when they discovered the betrayals of the political class, the untruths spun by those in power. I've seen these veterans navigate through the darkest of times, their spirits tested yet unbroken. I've seen them rise, time and again, their resilience a testament to the indomitable American spirit.

I have always been with them, and they with me, just as I am with all of you. Many are confused about what I stand for and represent. I do not stand for the government, or the fleeting whims of those in power. I stand for you, the American People. I am a symbol of your unity, your freedom, your pursuit of happiness. I am a testament to your resilience, your strength, your spirit. I am Old Glory, and I represent you."

"I've observed the enduring influence of the American People throughout the years. From the abolition of slavery, a cornerstone of its formation, to the championing of civil rights and desegregation in the mid-20th century.

I've also witnessed the evolution of some of the American people. They have grown more discerning, more critical, and more aware of the world around them. They question, they seek the truth, they resist the pull of propaganda. They understand that the media, while a powerful tool for information, can also be a tool for manipulation. They strive to separate fact from fiction, to see beyond the headlines and the sound bites without fear. Some lost everything, including their lives.

I've seen the global presence of America, not as an invader or conqueror, but as a beacon of hope and a force for good. I've seen initiatives around the World, an effort that helped to rebuild nations and establish a lasting peace. These actions have not only demonstrated America's strength but also its compassion and commitment to the betterment of the world.

Throughout it all, I remain a symbol of the people. I do not represent the government, or the media, or the powerful few. I represent the many, the diverse, the united, the proud. I represent the American people, I represent you."

“Yet, as I flutter in the winds of today, I sense a change. A divide is growing, much like the one I witnessed before the Civil War. I see a nation grappling with its identity, its unity threatened, its spirit wavering. I see a people forgetting the ideals I represent, the ideals they once held dear.

So, I make a plea to you, the American people. Remember who you are. Remember the spirit of freedom, independence, liberty, unity, and the pursuit of happiness that I was born to represent. Remember the sacrifices made, the battles fought, the victories won. Remember the resilience that saw you through the darkest times, the unity that made you strong, the ideals that make you American.

"As I continue to wave, I am not just a reminder of the past and the present, but also a beacon of hope for the future. It is I, Old Glory, and I implore you to remember, to unite, to stand strong. Remember your pledge to me,

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and Justice for all.”

I am not a deity to be worshiped, nor an idol to be adored. I am but a symbol of your unity, a testament to your commitment to preserve the rights of those around you, regardless of their beliefs, the god they pray to, or the customs they hold dear. This pledge is the embodiment of the freedom to practice one's own religion, culture, and customs within the bounds of our laws. It is this pledge that symbolizes the essence of the American spirit. For I believe in this spirit that I represent, and I believe in you."

Written By SpartanAltsobaPatriot, 17th SOG