The Flag Was Still There: A 4th of July Reflection on the America I Hope We Still Are
The flag was still there.
You may be familiar with the story behind our American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. What a name first of all. I have to confess, I am endeared to the stars and stripes, it raises something primal and lost for many: pride in my homeland. And it is stories like this one behind this unique anthem that my pride is founded on. Francis Scott Key was a lawyer who penned the lyrics after he went to negotiate and oversee the release of prisoners of the War of 1812. He was there to free them, but found out that only hours away were the British ships that were headed to destroy the local Fort McHenry. Upon the prison ship he and the patriot prisoners listened as the ramparts turned red and bombs attacked the fort. The British required them to take down their flag and surrender their pursuit of independence. Then the attack would stop. And yet, the colors remained. All night they stood and in the morning the tilted but still upright flag showed the stubbornness and resilience of the American people, for the men who went to uphold it now held it with their dead bodies. The old adage, “Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees” was never more applicable to the American people.
The flag was still there.
I kept thinking of that line this past 4th of July, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I was out at my favorite lake spot, seeing the bombs bursting in air, the glittering mortars in the night and I kept thinking about how incorrigible Americans are about their fireworks. I used to love them so, but this night they were a constant reminder of the ache in my heart for my country. For good or for ill there are small towns in Washington state that pride themselves on their firework displays and it is near the top of some of the most splendid sights I have ever seen. My husband proposed to me on July 4th amidst fireworks overhead, beneath the celebrations of his hometown lake town that he loves so much. It is truly one of my favorite moments of my life. Those sparkling fireworks were meant for me that night. And I dare say many Americans feel the same as each year tens of thousands of dollars are spent to light up the night, and in picnic blankets, chairs and boats they observe a tradition harking back to celebrations in 1777, the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a symbol of the American indomitable spirit. A reflection of the indomitable spirit of humanity.
It reminds me of that film, Independence Day. What a hoot that was as a kid to see it at the drive-in the theater on July 2nd with my family so many years ago. It almost felt real as the story progressed and kept us apprised of each day with a black screen, counting down the days to Independence Day. I still get chills to this day when the president-turned-fighter-pilot gives that speech about a shared day with all nations fighting for our right to live. Not just for freedom, but life. “We will not go quietly into the night.” Chills. We will not, will we? I have to believe that that never-surrender spirit still lives in us. Be it an old American family, or a newly arrived one, we share a desire for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Or at least, I still choose to believe that we do. And that despite the corruption, heartache, unfairness, well…you name it…that we still, in our heart of hearts, hold onto the land of the free and the home of the brave. I hope and pray that the blood in our veins, the values we hold dear and pass to our loved ones, still reside in the Land of Liberty’s people. Is the flag–all that it means–the longing for freedom and courage and integrity still there?
The flag was still there.
Is it still?
References and Inspiration:
“The Declaration of Independence.” 1776. National Archives, archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration.
Key, Francis Scott. “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 1814.
Independence Day. Directed by Roland Emmerich, performances by Will Smith and Bill Pullman, 20th Century Fox, 1996.
The bombardment of Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland. War of 1812, September 13–14, 1814. United States National Park Service, nps.gov/fomc.
Fourth of July celebrations and traditions. Old Farmer’s Almanac, almanac.com.
“Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.” Traditional proverb. Origin disputed. Commonly but incorrectly attributed to Emiliano Zapata. Quote Investigator, quoteinvestigator.com/2026/04/16/feet-knees.