A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-14-05...."I am Old Glory" (Flag Day)

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

I am the flag of the United States of America.

I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.

There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.

My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.

My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.

My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people,for the people."

I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.

Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.

I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.

Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.

Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.

Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.

God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as "Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America.

Q.  Who cut the American flag into pieces and was honored for doing it?

      A.  Robert Peary, who left pieces of the flag scattered at the North Pole.


Q.  Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down?

      A.  Yes, but only in an emergency. It means "Help Me, I am in Trouble!"


Q.  What is done with worn or outdated flags?

      A.  Flags are used until they are worn out and then they are destroyed, preferably by burning.


Q.  Francis Scott Key wrote the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" on the back on an envelope. What is the source of the music for it?

      A.  The music is from an old English drinking song called "To Anacreon in Heaven."


Q.  The American flag first flew over a foreign fort in what country?

      A.  Libya -- over Fort Derne, on the shores of Tripoli.


Q.  A vexillologist is an expert in what?

      A.  The history of flags.


Q.  "Shipwreck" Kelly (1885-1952) was famous for sitting for long periods of time. What did he have to do with flags?

      A.  He set many flagpole-sitting records. He sat for 49 days on one flagpole. He once estimated that he spent a total of over 20,000 hours sitting on flagpoles. Flagpole sitting was a craze started in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1929.

The flag should be displayed, from sunrise to sunset, on all days when the weather permits, especially on:

New Year's Day
Inauguration Day
Martin Luther King's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday
Washington's Birthday
Easter Sunday
Patriots Day, April 19
National Day of Prayer (1st Thurs in May)
Mother's Day
Armed Forces Day
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon)
Flag Day
Independence Day, July 4th
Labor Day
Constitution Day
Columbus Day, October 12th
Navy Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Election Days

and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.

Freepers, let's show our colors and fill the Finest with flags today! If you can, take a picture of *your* flag and post it here with your first post today. Or you can use JimRob's if you like. :)

"I am Old Glory", "I am the flag of the United States",
"Flag Trivia", and "Holidays to Display Your Flag" from
http://www.twilightbridge.com

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-13-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[T'wit]

It's a grand old flag,
It's a high-flying flag...

Hi, Billie! Red, white and blue greetings of the day!

[Billie]

I'm posting Tuesday's thread a little early because I may be a little late in the morning 'getting here'. Tuesday, June 14th, is Flag Day, and this is my flag. I hope to see many, many flags posted on this thread!

[Billie]

Hi, T'wit! Haven't seen you in a while!

[luvie]

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
LONG MAY THIS FLAG WAVE!!

[T'wit]

I stop by when I can. Now that I've abandoned California for the east coast, the hour makes it a little harder to drop by. Love y'all anyway :-)

[Billie]

That flag is awesome!

[luvie]

Thank you. I'll try to get "fancy" tomorrow--I'm way too tired tonight, but I did want to show everyone this one!

[Billie]

Well, I'm glad you stopped in tonight. I'm about to 'leave' but hope to get back here in the morning and see lots more flags flying high!

[The Thin Man]

Hi, Billie. Too late for me to read the thread tonight, but I'm sure you did a fine job as usual.

Did I really say that? Something's wrong... think I need a good night's sleep. :-)

[Allegra]

Good morning, Billie!

Happy Flag Day to you. Great thread, as usual. :-)

My flag is a little pin on my shirt. I don't exactly have a yard to fly my big one in right now, but it flies proudly in my heart all the time.

[Billie]

God Bless our Troops and keep them safe.

I will be back in the morning.

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; The Mayor; DollyCali,
and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey............................cousin mystery-ak.............son, husband Gogrammy...................grandson Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..............................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew ValerieUSA....................2 sons Lakeside........................2 sons LakeLady......................nephew Spruce.........................daughter Leofl......................................son chena......................................son Philman_36..............2 nephews bjcintennessee.......son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son homeschoolmama...........nephew mhking.........................cousin eaglesiniowa.....................son visualops..........................cousin auboy.............................cousin Ladysmith..nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend Katydidnt.............................son MontanaCowgirlCop.......brother Colorado Slim................nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews Alouette................................son Q6-God...................twin brother Q6-God.....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut....................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish.........................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding.......active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty

scubachick.....................husband OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin Doug from Upland............soninlaw Himyar....................................son boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son sheeza................................husband kemathen7.........................husband Tiffee4Bob..........................boyfriend deadhead.............................cousin JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew ProudAFDad...................................son Misty4jc................................husband Bykrbayb........................................son Hope and Glory.........................son ak_daddoo..............................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter ariamne.........................2 cousins Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law nelibeli...................................nephew Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson gonzo.........................friend's son Socratic.............................nephew jkphoto...............................nephew

[Billie]

Hi, Billie. Too late for me to read the thread tonight, but I'm sure you did a fine job as usual. Did I really say that? Something's wrong... think I need a good night's sleep. :-)

Wait! Who is this?!

[Billie]

I was about to log off but saw your post and wanted to say hello first. Thank you, Allegra, and know you'll be flying your flag *IN YOUR YARD* too when you get home! Stay safe! Goodnight!

[Diver Dave]

On Deck Attention to Colors!

...two

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[deadhead]

Beautiful thread, Billie! Happy Flag Day All!!

[The Mayor]

June 14, 2005

He's Always On The Bridge

Read:
Joshua 1:1-9

I will not leave you nor forsake you. —Joshua 1:5

Bible In One Year: Song of Songs 1-4

My friend Ralph had the thrilling experience of going on a short cruise on the aircraft carrier USS Kennedy. He saw jet fighters take off, land, and demonstrate maneuvers. He was told that whenever the planes are taking off or landing—dangerous operations—the captain watches from the bridge. Even if the planes are flying continually, he stays on the bridge, cat-napping between runs if necessary. So each time a pilot takes off or lands on the deck, he knows that his captain is always on duty.

In today's Scripture reading, when it was time for Joshua to take over as leader of Israel, he needed reassurance that God would be with him as He had been with Moses. The Israelites knew that Moses had divine direction during their wilderness journey because God led them by a pillar of fire and a cloud.

But what about Joshua? God promised him, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). Joshua could lead Israel with the absolute confidence that God was always watching over him.

Wherever we are, whatever bold endeavor we are involved in, or whatever spiritual battle we may face, we have the confidence that God is with us. What's more, He guides, protects, and leads us. He's always on the bridge! —Dave Egner

I trust in God—I know He cares for me,
On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
Though billows roll, He keeps my soul—
My heavenly Father watches over me. —Martin
© 1938, The Rodeheaver Co.

The Christian finds safety not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Has God Loved Us?

[GailA]

Lovely thread today Billie. May Old Glory wave another 1000 years above the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. GOD bless America and her fighting men and women.

[jwalsh07]

Very nice but where'd that strange looking dog come from?