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Freedom’s Flame
By
Steven Thompson, Founder of American Flag City.
Twas then that Freedom’s Flame was lit,
That day Paul Revere saw the lamps,
Which call he did heed and upon his steed,
With loud voice warning:
The British are coming! The British are coming!
In 1781, British General Cornwallis surrender at Yorktown;
Freedom’s Flame was fanned and fueled.
Twas only a few years hence the French forged a statue, tall,
As a gift, dispatched the Lady to the newborn Nation.
Raised and anchored in the New harbor,
Liberty’s arm stretched hight towards the heavens.
Still, she stands proudly with Liberty’s Flame brightly burning.
So, it is that 50 Bright Stars shine in a constellation on a field of blue.
Each star, a state, together, united 50 strong.
That union is neatly framed by vivid crimson and pure white stripes.
That banner yet waves proudly, baptized in fire, and
The blood, the courage, the hopes, the dreams, the loyalty
Of the many who sacrificed ALL for Freedom’s Flame.
The heavens smile down on Old Glory,
The Land of the Free,
The Home of the Brave!
So, when you look up at that constellation of 50 glorious stars,
And thirteen vibrant stripes, as you pledge allegiance to that flag,
And the Republic for which it stands, One Nation under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for ALL...
Remember: to EACH generation, Freedom’s Light is passed --
For EACH soul, in turn to shield and protect...
For so long as Freedom’s Flame is lit
To brightly light the waving Stars & Stripes,
America and her children shall be free!
{When I was at the Battlefield of Yorktown, Virginia, I sat for a spell on a grassy knoll overlooking the harbor where British Navy ships lay anchor and shelled the Revolutionary Americans and French exactly 225 years ago. At that place, a fierce battle raged for the freedom and birth of a new Nation, America! I could feel the spirits of the many who fought and perished on this sacred soil. Inspiration filled my soul and heart to pen the above words. Many have asked and wondered aloud why I am so dedicated to respect for the American flag and to honor and pay tribute to our military men and women, as well as our Veterans. This poem expresses in a nutshell how I feel and why I am so committed to American Flag City and Flag Ship Liberty. As I sat on a grassy knoll and looked out across the beach to the harbor below me, I thought of my sons and grand kids, and what legacy those who died on that field of honor left for me and them. I thought of my eldest son who had just returned from combat duty in Iraq...and how he puts his life on the line to continue that legacy for me, his mother, his brothers, his wife, his children, his friends...and yes, even you who may be strangers to him. He does his job as a volunteer...proudly, honorably, and without complaining a single word.
I believe we have an awesome responsibility to those who gave so much before us...as well as to those generations yet to come...to love, honor and respect the flag of the United States of America...and in so doing, honor and respect the country for which that flag stands...and to honor and respect ourselves as individuals, our communities, our states. The way we treat our flag or allow it to be treated reflects our true thoughts and character as a people and as community and as a nation. The way we treat our flag reflects either our strength, courage, valor, loyalty, honor and love for ourselves, our children, our military, our veterans, our posterity, our communities, our states, and our country -- OR --, conversely, reveals our apathy, complacency, and slothfulness. Our flags flying and displayed is a mirrored reflection of our true attitudes and character: What is the condition of the flags flying in your yard, your business, your town, your community? Would you be proud to have Paul Revere, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Tom Payne, and others who put so much on the line for YOU and US to rise out of their graves and walk into your community?)
" As Mayor of the City of Burley in the Great State of Idaho, I am proud to have the National Headquarters of American Flag City in our town. I am honored and I appreciate Burley being chosen by this wonderful program to be an American Flag City. I encourage towns and cities throughout the country to participate. The American Flag City program can, once again, bring us all to the same page, unite us in purpose and bring out our best qualities and traits as people and as Americans in our cities we love and in which we live..
Mayor Jon Anderson (R)
Steve Thompson of American Flag City (L)
– Jon Anderson,
Mayor
Burley, Idaho
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Become an American Flag City today
I would love to have your city become an American Flag City.
You are personally invited to enroll...today! Please do so.
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For more information about the American Flag City project, call 208-679-3524 or email us info@flagcityusa.org.
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Our mission and goals are to:
1} Promote respect for the American Flag while promoting our communities and our beautiful States…from Sea to Shining Sea.
2} Educate about proper use and display of the American Flag.
3} Encourage patriotism. Americanism, as well as community pride and spirit.
4} Enrich community and country.
Sincerely Yours,
Steven Thompson
Call me at 431-FLAG (3524)
{area code is 208}
Please tell your city leaders you want your city to be an official American Flag City.
If you are a city leader, please enroll today.
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