Thanking My Lucky Stars and Stripes {4th of July}

Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes, the Red, White and Blue, the Star-Spangled Banner...

the American flag ~ 

The flag of the United States has not been created by rhetorical sentences in declarations of independence and in bills of rights.  It has been created by the experience of a great people, and nothing is written upon it that has not been written by their life.  It is the embodiment, not of a sentiment, but of a history.  Woodrow Wilson

Cheers for the sailors that fought on the wave for it,

                                     Cheers for the soldiers that always were brave for it, 

Tears for the men that went down to the grave for it, 

Here comes the flag! 

~ Arthur Macy, The Flag

The red and white and starry blue

Is freedom's shield and hope.

~ John Philip Sousa