By Jeff Pogue
Missouri State Representative (District 143)
Between Memorial Day, a sacred holiday that honors the sacrifices and successes of our fallen protectors, and July 4th, the date synonymous with our liberty as well as the achieved mission of all our guardians, we pause to reflect on our banner of freedom, the U.S. Flag. As popularized by verse and cliché, “These Colors Don’t Run.”
Pursuant to RSMo 9.060, “The governor shall annually issue a proclamation setting apart June fourteenth as ‘Flag Day’ and recommending to the people of the state that the day be appropriately observed in honor of and out of respect to the flag of the United States of America.”
On June 14, 1777 the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, stating, “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.” According to tradition, this is what the Red, White and Blue mean, which is beautifully woven together as the Fabric of America:
“Red signifies hardiness & valor;
White signifies purity and innocence;
Blue signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.” (USFlag.org)
“I 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.” (va.gov)
