Flag Day: A Beacon of Hope in a Time of Turmoil

I was 22 years old when I first heard of Flag Day.

I learned about Flag Day from my thenboyfriend. We were playing the get to know you game—What’s your favorite color? When’s your birthday? Oddly, we both had significant days attached to our birthdays; I was born on Black Monday and he was born on Flag Day. And that’s how he said it, “My birthday is on Flag Day.” 

Flag DayEnsue internal panic. When was Flag Day? And better yet, what the heck was Flag Day? I had no idea. Over the course of my childhood and adult education, I was never taught about Flag Day. The more I asked people about it, I realized they weren’t taught about it either. Flag Day had become a brushed-over holiday on the calendar. 

FLAG DAY FUN FACTS
Our Flag originated during the American Revolution. “The colonists weren’t fighting united under a single flag. Instead, most regiments participating in the war for independence against the British fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army—a unified colonial fighting force—with the hopes of more organized battle against its colonial oppressors. This led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Continental Colors.*

By definition, “Flag Day is to commemorate the adoption of our United States flag, a resolution signed on June 14, 1777. The idea to celebrate this day came to a teacher in Wisconsin who wanted to celebrate our flag’s birthday with his students in 1885, but it didn’t become a national holiday until May 30, 1916.*” 

SHARING + TEACHING THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR FLAG
A few years ago, as a new parent, I began to think about how to teach my children about the Flag, its importance, and why it’s more than just a piece of fabric. I stewed over this for many months as I watched our nation begin to fracture. I kept seeing the beacon of hope that our Flag should be, begin to dim because we as a country were at odds with ourselves. I feared our Flag would become a symbol of hatred and oppression. I did not want my children growing up, seeing our Flag, and living in a nation of lost hopes. But I had no idea how to begin to even tell my children about the Flag Day, our Flag and how great it could be. 

I began to search for something, anything, that would help me explain our Flag and how it has the power to unite a nation in good and bad times. As luck would have it, my sister-in-law, Elizabeth Tesoriero, and her friend, Stephaine Swick, published a children’s book about our Flag, its story, and what it can be. When You Stand For Me, I’m Alive: A Story Told by the American Flag, tells the story of Old Glory; how it got the Stars and Stripes, why it’s red, white, and blue, and why it is and still can be a beacon of hope. 

OUR FLAG IS A BEACON OF HOPE
I desperately want my children, all children, to look at our Flag and see hope and freedom for all Americans. We are in great turmoil as a nation and it is hard – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through it all, I see a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a small light, but it’s growing every day. It’s our Flag, our beacon of hope of what we can become. I can’t wait to see the change and growth of our nation and experience the potential that our future holds. I want every American to look at our flag and feel like they belong, know that they can dream, and believe that they can succeed on any path they choose.

I know this may take a while for us, as a nation, to heal, and that’s okay. I want every American to feel love when they see our Flag, feel hope for their future, and feel pride when standing for our Flag. 

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Amanda was born and raised in Virginia and spent most of her 20s moving and traveling around the United States which ultimately landed her in Swartz Creek. Jeff is her spouse and they have two wild little ones, Salvatore and Giada. Amanda dabbles in a mixture of jobs from working for the USPS, to a court reporter, to a virtual assistant. Topped with mom duties, Amanda is a walking circus most days. She has a passion for adventure and travel, all things food and wine, dark beer, books, and her peaceful shower time. Amanda is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and has a service dog named Derecho. She cannot wait to share her stories and connect with you.