United we stand,

there is more to our magnificent flag with its regal red, white and blue.

There is more to this historic artifact than its 50 embroidered stars, lining every house down the street.  There is more to this flag than the waving of our banner throughout the night sky, as fireworks gleam and boom with extravagant colors as laughing children run through the street. 

There is more to this flag than the little boy who hopes to be like his grandpa when he grows up, serving his country and fighting for freedom. There is more to this flag than the thousands of marked and unmarked stone pillars lining gravesites, with the names of those who fought for our country. With a single, red white, and blue flag standing in front of it. 

There is deepness within this flag. With a wonderful white that symbolizes purity and innocence, a rough red that shows the hardness and valor of Americans, and bright blue, that showcases the vigilance, perseverance, and justice of our 50 states. This flag is 245 years of history, marking that historic day on July 4th, 1776 when 13 colonies aligned to build a future of independence and equality for all citizens. 

This flag is 245 years of blood sweat and tears. 245 years of freedom, dignity, and glory. This flag defies evil, striking fear into the hearts of our enemies, and all those who look for destruction. Similar to what it did those many years ago, with brave soldiers rushing into the battlefields with no fear. Cannonballs booming, tanks grinding into the slosh and mud in no man's land, and planes flying over the lines of artillery ships throughout Hawaii. Protected by “our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”

This flag means something to everyone. To me, it reminds me of the same name I share with my hero. My great grandfather. A man who put his all into fighting for his country, fighting for his family, fighting for me. There is more to this flag than red, white, and blue. There is meaning.