And finally, I’m off to Chicago, a star in stripes on Flag Day.
Today, June 15, being the day Americans celebrate ‘Old Glory’ every year.
In honour of Betsy Ross’s drape, marking the 13 founder states in stripes.
And 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing the new constellation which was the new nation.
Flagging up Chicago
That I’ll be spending the next week in The Windy City is apt.
As a major rally featuring 300,000 schoolchildren honoured the Flag here 130 years ago.
In Douglas, Garfield, Humboldt, Lincoln, and Washington Parks.
Proud nationalist Benjamin J Cigrand had taken up an idea from the Civil War and run with it.
Where Ross is boss
And so we are where we are now.
And for that we are thankful to Philadelphia upholsterer and friend of George Washington Betsy.
Whose story we can follow in the City of Brotherly Love at Betsy Ross’s House where a flag-raising ceremony is held daily.
When in Philly, of course, we gather around a certain cracked bell.
But this Americanophile and revolutionary naturally sought out a flag-raising ceremony myself at the old town hall.
Holding back the civic officers just so I could get my picture for posterity.
Waving the flag
Now wherever I go across the Oo Es of Eh I seek out the flag.
And wrap myself up in it since taking the Atars and Stripes back with me from my first visit as a 17-year-old.
Which has been used on a flagpole, as a dinner cloth.
And the least said about what my Best Man Andy used it for the better.
Not, of course, what the founding fathers had in mind.
When they adopted the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
I’d expect though they’d appreciate my devotion.
A star in stripes in the US on Flag Day.