Ogden Visitation April 30, 2005

Old Glory - A Few Facts

Most Worshipful Grand Master Ridge, Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens, Worshipful Grand Lodge Officers, Worshipful Past Masters, Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Brethren, and Ladies. My talk this evening is entitled “Old Glory - A Few Facts.” First, let me give credit for the idea for this talk to my wife Judy, my “Secret Weapon.” Since 9/11 many interesting emails discussing our flag have made the rounds on the internet. I want to share a couple of them with you this evening but I thought it might be instructive to review a little flag history before proceeding further. To begin with, the name “Old Glory” came upon the flag quite by accident. A Salem Massachusetts shipmaster by the name of Captain William Driver was given a flag of 24 stars by his friends as he left on one of his many voyages on the brig CHARLES DOGGETT in 1831. As the flag opened in the breeze for the first time, he exclaimed “Old Glory.” He retired to Nashville Tennessee in 1837, where his “Old Glory” name for his flag became well known among the citizens. As the Civil War approached, Capt Driver hid his flag from the Rebels. On February 25, 1862, Union forces captured Nashville and raised a small American flag over the capitol. Folks in Nashville began asking Capt Driver if he still had “Old Glory.” He retrieved the flag from its hiding place (inside his bedcover), climbed the flag tower, and replaced the small flag with his beloved flag “Old Glory.” The Sixth Ohio Regiment cheered and saluted - and later adopted the nickname “Old Glory” as their own. They told the story again and again of Capt Driver’s devotion to the flag.
About the colors red, white, and blue; there is no official designation of the meaning of the flag’s colors. The Continental Congress left no record of the reasons for choosing those colors. In 1782, however, the Congress of the Confederation chose the same colors for the Great Seal of the United States and listed their meaning as follows: white for purity and innocence, red for valor and hardiness, and blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. Legend has it that George Washington interpreted the elements of the flag thusly: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British colors, and the white stripes signified the secession from the home country.
Our flag was probably designed by Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. You might ask how Betsy Ross came to sew the first flag. She was an upholsterer by trade, surviving three husbands and raising five daughters, whose pew in Christ Church in Alexandria, VA was next to George Washington’s pew. She was also a niece of George Ross. It is not hard to imagine that her contact with two distinguished members of the Flag Committee formed by the Continental Congress led to her selection as the first flag maker. The 13 stars were placed in a circle so that no one colony could be viewed as being represented over another. George Washington is said to have remarked, “Let the 13 stars in a circle stand as a new constellation in the heavens.”
I know you have all seen the flag properly folded at the end of the day after “Taps,” and also at funerals when the flag is lifted off the coffin, folded thirteen times, and handed to the widow or family of a fallen warrior or veteran. One of those emails I mentioned earlier was reputedly written by a chaplain a few days after 9/11 and explained the meaning of those thirteen folds.
1. The first fold is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
4. The forth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we 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.
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation’s motto: “In God we trust.”
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
Let me close with a poem written by Howard Schnauber that you may have heard before, but which, I am sure, will stir your heart as much tonight as it did the first time you heard it.

My name is Old Glory
I am the flag of the United States of America.
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I stand side by side with the Maple Leaf on the world’s longest undefended border.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up . . . and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth, and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners,
my head is a little higher,
my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am honored - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge,
Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Appamatox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome,
and the beaches of Normandy, Guam.
Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I was there.
I led my troops,
I was dirty, battleworn and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled upon, burned, torn
and trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it’s by those whom I’ve served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America’s finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips
and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
or when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

My Name is Old Glory
Long May I Wave.