All That the American Flag Represents by Avi Heiligman

Forgotten Her es All That the American Flag Represents

By Avi Heiligman

A monument in tribute to Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photo of raising the flag on Iwo Jima The Star-Spangled Garrison Banner on display

Flags identifying nationalities, militaries or any type of organization date back thousands of years. The Shevatim (Jewish tribes) used flags in the desert while they traveled and while encamping. Throughout history, flags were used by armies in battle and were used by ships while entering and leaving port to identify their country of origin. When the American Continental Congress met in July 1776, a flag had been used to represent their new country, but it was almost a year later that Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. On June 14, 1777, the Flag Resolution passed Congress, and many years later that day became known as Flag Day.

Flying the flag in battle is an important aspect to the organization of an army as smoke and loud sounds sometimes make it difficult for a soldier to identify his unit or even friend from foe. The “Battle Cry of Freedom,” also known as “Rally ‘Round the Flag,” is a Civil War era song that the soldiers sang during battle that shows patriotism to the flag and its meaning to soldiers on the front.

Less than two months after the resolution to adopt the flag, it flew in flew in battle for the first time at Fort Schuyler during the Siege of Fort Stanwix. As the siege progressed, soldiers came to defend the American fort in New York and brought word of the congressional resolution. There is debate as to which design was flown by the victorious British truce ship. He then knew that the fort was still in American hands and was inspired to write his famous poem. That flag is now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. During the Civil War, regiments had their own flags, or colors, as they were called. Often, if a flag bearer was wounded or killed, another soldier would step up and pick up the

There is a legend that soldiers cut up their shirts to actually make the flag.

defenders, and there is a legend that soldiers cut up their shirts to actually make the flag. The flag flying at Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812 famously inspired Francis Scott Key to write the “Star Spangled Banner.” Mary Pickersgill was the one who stitched the very large flag together, and on the morning of September 14, 1814, Key was able to see the battered flag flying from his position on a flag even though he knew he could be targeted by enemy bullets. Sergeant William Carney of Company C of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment was present at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1863 during the attack on Fort Wagner. His unit’s color guard was hit, and right before the flag hit the ground, Carney grabbed it and held it high. Despite receiving several wounds himself, Carney protected the flag as he struggled up the hill and eventually planted the flag in the sand. As he was treated for his wounds he said, “Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!” His actions that day earned him the Medal of Honor that was awarded to him in 1900. It was the last Medal of Honor awarded for actions during the Civil War; his award preceded any other African-American recipient of the medal.

At the start of the Civil War, the flag that had been flown at Fort Sumter was on a flagpole that was felled by shot. An officer retrieved the flag and hoisted it on top of another pole. After the garrison surrendered, the Union troops were allowed to take the flag with them, and it made its way to New York for a patriotic rally. It then was taken around the Northern states to raise money for the war effort. Four years after the Fort Sumter surrender, the Union commander returned with the flag and raised it in triumph at the fort. The flag is still at Fort Sumter today.

Following the Battle of San Juan Hill in July 1898, Colonel and future President Theodore Roosevelt raised the flag on the summit with his unit of Rough Riders.

The flag flying at Fort McHenry Fort Sumter’s 33-star flag

One of the most iconic images from World War II was the flag-raising on the island of Iwo Jima in 1945. On the fourth day of battle, battered marines finally reached the top of Mount Surabachi. The next day, February 23, a patrol made it to the summit and raised a flag. A photo was taken of this historic event but an admiral wanted the flag as a souvenir. Another, bigger flag was brought to the top, and Jewish photographer Joe Rosenthal caught the image that would soon win a Pulitzer Prize. Six marines raised the flag then, and within two days, the image was soon printed in newspapers worldwide. Both flags are now at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Virginia.

There are many regulations as to how the American flag is presented by the military. Today, servicemen and women wear a flag patch on the right side of their uniform – the flag is actually backwards to someone facing the soldier. The reason for this is to make it look like it is flying in the breeze while the soldier is moving forward. In the past, when a flag bearer was on horseback, the flag would stream backwards while the horse was moving forward.

The flag means a lot to many people, especially those who have served the U.S. in battle. It represents freedom and instills pride to those in uniform. Many acts of heroism to protect the flag and defend freedom have been published, and these heroes deserve to be remembered. From the top of San Juan Hill to the North Pole to Iwo Jima to the moon, the American flag has represented all that the United States stands for.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.