Betsy Ross

I thought it fitting to post the story of Betsy Ross, especially with the last story about Debbie McLucas and it being June when legend has it that Betsy Ross was commissioned to sew the first official American flag.
I say legend because history is not quite sure nor does it have proof (sadly) that the story of Betsy Ross is accurate.
Betsy's story was first made public in June 1776 by her grandson William Canby when giving a speech to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. William Canby and other members of Betsy's family signed sworn affidavits stating that they had heard the story of Betsy making the first American flag from her own mouth. (For full text, see Affidavits. That's good enough for me!)

So the story is told of a 24-year old widow named Betsy Ross who was working in her upholstery shop on Arch Street when three well known gentlemen entered in. The first being George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army. The second George Ross, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and uncle of Betsy's deceased husband. The third Robert Morris, also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
George Washington pulled a folded piece of paper out of his inside coat pocket showing a sketch of a flag with with thirteen red and white stripes and thirteen six pointed stars. Washington asked Betsy is she could make the flag from their design. She replied, "I do not know, but I will try." (This line was used in the sworn statements of many of Betsy's family members, suggesting that it is a direct quote from Betsy.)

Betsy then took out her scissors and quickly cut a five pointed star suggesting to the gentlemen that it be used instead of the six pointed star. They all agreed to use the five pointed star and Betsy was officially commissioned to sew the first American flag.The home of Betsy Ross.

It is definitely a well beloved story of an American patriot stepping up when asked to contribute her talents and abilities for her country. It is one that I personally will continue to share with my own family as I do apple pie.

You Took Down My Flag?

The stories that have been coming out lately seem so unbelievable yet here is another one.The audacity of the enemy and their presumptuous nature seem to underestimate the courage and patriotism of the so called average person. Those that are stepping forward boldly proclaiming their rights as Americans to uphold our own laws and freedoms are the true heroes of our times. We can take strength from their experiences and hope to stand firm ourselves when the time comes and the time is now before it's too late.





President Woodrow Wilson, 1917
This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us — speaks to us of the past, or the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it.

The United States One Dollar Bill

The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed it without is falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents we will never know. It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.

Looking on the front of the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you will see the scales for a balanced budget (We should probably change the scales to be tipping with our current budget crisis - they are certainly not balanced). In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury.

Now looking at the back of the dollar bill are symbols we all should know. You will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.

If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This was because our country was just beginning.

We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is un-capped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. "IN GOD WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, "God has favored our undertaking."

The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, "a new order has begun." At the base you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery, and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.

The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons:

First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it.

Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England.

Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation.

In the Eagle's beak you will read: "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning, "one nation from many people." Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.

Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows.

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. But think about this:

13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on the shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.

[On March 25, 2009] US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner shocked global markets by revealing that Washington is “quite open” to Chinese proposals for the gradual development of a global reserve currency run by the International Monetary Fund.
Mr Geithner later qualified his remarks, insisting that the dollar would remain the “world’s dominant reserve currency … for a long period of time” but the seeds of doubt have been sown.

Let us awaken as a people to what others are underhandedly trying to accomplish whilst we remain asleep. Has Geithner merely shocked us mistakenly or has he purposely thrown it out there for us to become familiar with the idea. I don't believe these people to be stupid but I do believe them to be crafty and manipulating.

Teach your families the meaning and symbols of the American dollar. Let us remember our past that we may improve our future and hold closely our liberties and sovereignty.