American Flag facts

Earl Schroeder | Last updated Jun 11, 2024 11:53am0

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Our first U.S. flag, also called the Betsy Ross flag, had six white stripes, seven red stripes, and 13 stars in a circle in the (Union) blue upper left corner of the flag - all to represent the original 13 Colonies. Requested by then Commander of the Continental Army, Gen. George Washington, it was completed in June 1776.

Red Stripes stood for Valor, Courage, and Bravery.

White Stripes stood for Purity and Innocence.

Blue stood for Vigilance.

The last edition of our U.S. Flag Code was published in 1989. Flag etiquette within the code is now managed through tradition, not by law. The most understood and accepted version still clearly states that respect is most important.

• Flag should never touch anything beneath it.

• Flag should never be used for wearing apparel, etc.

• Torn, frayed, dirty, or damaged flags should not be used and should be destroyed in a dignified manner.

• Active or retired military Veterans or Boy Scouts may perform the act of flag destruction by burning. To be done in a respectful manner.

• In the presence of other flags, the U.S. flag should always be the highest.

• The flag should always be allowed to blow or fall freely.

• At meetings, the flag should always be placed at the left of the audience.

• The (blue) Union stars should always be displayed at the upper left of the flag.

• A flag flown at half-staff is to honor or acknowledge someone's death.

• A flag that is raised upside-down is a signal of distress or extreme danger.

The next time an American flag passes you by, say at a parade, you may see citizens with their hands over their hearts. You may also see people rendering a hand salute, which is being done by past or present military Veterans. This is one of the simplest ways of showing respect to our country's flag.

Earl Schroeder served in the United States Air Force.

A passion for the U.S. Flag

Earl Schroeder

I was asked last week why I had such a passion for our country’s flag, having earned the title of The Flag Man. The passion has been with me all my life, but it had never occurred to me until the question was asked. After a week of thinking about this I would like to share how this patriotic feeling came to me.

I was born the same month that Hitler invaded Poland. Our flag became an important symbol for our country, and it remains close to my heart to this day. Our liberty and freedoms are represented by and through our U.S. flag.

It’s amazing how many of our country’s flag are seen all around Sisters Country: In front of government offices, public schools, on Cascade Avenue businesses, homes, city parks, Fire Department, and so many more. Then there are, service club meetings, veterans meetings, banks, nonprofits, and meetings of all kinds that honor our flag, and many recite The Pledge of Allegiance. Flags abound throughout our City of Sisters. I would surmise over 200 flags are flying proudly.

Flags represent many nations and people throughout the world. All recognized countries in the world have a national flag. All except one, Nauru, a small island nation off the east coast of Australia. The flag of our nation, USA, is the most recognized flag in the world, which should give us all tremendous national pride.

This coming Friday, June 14, is Flag Day here in America. Formerly established in 1949 by the U.S. Congress, President Truman signed it into law. However, Flag Day was not included in the 1968 Uniform Holiday Act, which means it is not a federal holiday.

Our first official country’s flag was adopted on June 14, 1777, and was called The Grand Union or Continental Colors flag. After almost 250 years our Stars & Stripes have had 26 variations, and the 27th change came in 1959, when Hawaii became our 50th state, hence 50 stars on the blue union.

The citizens of USA have been granted many freedoms that other countries envy, and the symbol that represents these freedoms are our “Old Glory, The Colors, Star Spangled Banner, or simply the Red, White & Blue,” our USA’s Flag. This is where, I, for one, have a passion to love, hold dearly, respect, and give cause to protect what our flag stands for.

Every day, in my book, is Flag Day. Consider flying your flag often, treat it with respect, and may God Bless America.

Earl Schroeder served in the United States Air Force.

If you have a flag that is unfit to fly and wish to have it properly disposed, you may drop it off at City Hall, Ace Hardware, or give to a military veteran for disposal.