Don't Tread on Me and the American Flag
Annette
2012/06/15 20:14:26
What did the rattle snake represent to our founding fathers, and why do we still see the "Don't Tread On Me" signs today? It was the symbol under which they fought during the American Revolution which meant unity. "Benjamin Franklin is believed to have written an anonymous article pbulished in 1776 that draws parallels between the virtues of the rattlesnake and those of the thirteen colonies."
Here is the end of an article by Buzz Brandt From the Elks magazine June 2012 edition:
"As popular as the rattlesnake was as a symbol of colonial unity and resistance in the British colonies that would eventually become the United States, it was not destined to become the official symbol of either the colonies or the United States. The first flag considered by many to have unofficially represented all of the colonies during the Revolutionary War in America was the Continental Colors (also called the Union flag), which consisted of a field of alternating red and white stripes with the British flag in the canton in the upper left corner. But even this flag in was never made the official flag of the rebelling colonies.
"On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new Constellation." The British flag, which had served as the canton of the Continental Colors, was replaced by a blue canton filled with stars. Old Glory had been born.
"Today the Stars and Stripes waves proudly over America, and a few people remember how the image of a rattlesnake stirred the emotions of patriots fighting for unity and freedom. It was the symbol under which many brave men fought, bled, and died, a symbol tht carried the ominous warning that Americans would never surrender their freedom without a fight -- Don't
Tread on Me."
&... Let us continue to stand as 'one nation under God, indivisible', because only with liberty can there be 'justice for all'! &...
Here is the end of an article by Buzz Brandt From the Elks magazine June 2012 edition:
"As popular as the rattlesnake was as a symbol of colonial unity and resistance in the British colonies that would eventually become the United States, it was not destined to become the official symbol of either the colonies or the United States. The first flag considered by many to have unofficially represented all of the colonies during the Revolutionary War in America was the Continental Colors (also called the Union flag), which consisted of a field of alternating red and white stripes with the British flag in the canton in the upper left corner. But even this flag in was never made the official flag of the rebelling colonies.
"On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution which stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new Constellation." The British flag, which had served as the canton of the Continental Colors, was replaced by a blue canton filled with stars. Old Glory had been born.
"Today the Stars and Stripes waves proudly over America, and a few people remember how the image of a rattlesnake stirred the emotions of patriots fighting for unity and freedom. It was the symbol under which many brave men fought, bled, and died, a symbol tht carried the ominous warning that Americans would never surrender their freedom without a fight -- Don't
Tread on Me." &... Let us continue to stand as 'one nation under God, indivisible', because only with liberty can there be 'justice for all'! &...
Top Opinion
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S.E.L. 2012/06/15 20:35:40
Amen Anette..One nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty, and Justice for all...If only those words were respected as much as we patriots do, we would have a better country.
Mutiny, piracy, sinking, coup, rebellion of the people/government.
The fact that any flag flown upside-down means distress is not the whole story however... flags flown upside-down can and are used as a form of protest.
The flag is a symbol of control and superiority. The use of such in any other way is considered "desecration". . .
I know how tough it is to lose a loved one. My Dad's funeral was May 12.
You know that you're loved here, of course. We both know the pain will fade, though we'll never forget, and it'll always be with us.
Just don't let the memories fade, and they'll always be something we can treasure.
Ack. Who am I to be offering words of wisdom? You obviously have me beat in that department.
In fact, the Navy has a jack consisting of a field of red and white stripes with a lengthwise rattlesnake lying diagonally across it.
Used from 1980 to 2002 by the US Navy vessel with the longest service record (with the exception of the USS Constitution) was given the honor of flying a different jack ... than all other ships in the US Navy. Some believe it was used by the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War.