It only takes three colors to make a rainbow. The American flag, which was first flown in 1777. Many folks these days are trying to replace it with other more trendy and more so-called relevant flags. But our flag, “Old Glory” will never go out of style. It was invented by a nation that itself was just invented.
That particular flag flew over Ft. McHenry in the war of 1812 when no one thought it would last. A song that we sing to this day was inspired by its survival. That flag was raised in dangerous, remote frontier outpost and went to battle in places more poetically referred to as the “Halls of Montezuma.”
It was Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Shiloh and other battles too bloody to contemplate. It was raised against troops that once flew that flag themselves until they made the decision to replace it with another. It was soaked with mustard gas in the forest of France. Then returned there 25 years later to fight another war in Europe.
That flag went down on the USS Arizona, but was raised again at Iwo Jima. It was in Korea and Vietnam even while many thought it should not have been. And it has been in the Middle East for many years. That flag has been draped over dead bodies of soldiers, some not even known. It has been draped over the coffins of law enforcement, firefighters, and presidents. It flies over schools, public buildings and more places anyone can count. This flag defended other causes carried by people no different that you or I. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and most of the time scared to death when they did them. But they did them anyway.
I have been ridiculed for not taking the rainbow flag more seriously. But all I can remember is the flag with the stars and stripes that was always there when these other symbols were not there. So for all those seeking “inclusion,” respect and acceptance and the belief that these icons provide it, remember the flag that was there first and has always been there. It is red, white, blue.