Grand Old Flag

"You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave."

George M. Cohan

As children, we often carried little flags secured upon wooden rods with a small gold dome on top.  They were prevalent at parades, funerals, and days of celebration like Flag Day or Fourth of July.  A certain generation will remember the monument of soldiers erecting the American Flag while others recall small John Kennedy Jr standing with a small flag at his father's funeral.  Then others recall the American Flag and backlash of Vietnam War.

When we were taught geography,  flags for other countries were displayed. We saved images of flags for a school or scout group or fraternal organization.  Other cultures have differing uses.  The Tibetans use prayer flags, but it is believed the wind would blow peace out across the people on earth.    The Native American tribes used prayer ties or flags as well including healing or dream catching flags to carry wishes to Spirit.

It would be of interest to sit in a classroom of any age to listen to individual associations with the American Flag.   Curious as to what questions might be triggered and what specific answers would be supplied.  The American Flag remains the same, but what it represents may have become frayed.