Farmington High School - Laurel Yearbook (Farmington, ME)

Page 12 text:

M THE LAUREL struggles, and successes. The Flag has an indefmable something that shakes the soul of every true citizen as a tempest shakes a tree. Her men and women who have given their lives for her are the Flag's greatest glory. Many have fought for her in war and died with a Will. But those who have given their lives in peace are just as great a glory. The world would not be so well off as it is in arts, sciences, and literature if it were not for the great men of the United States. The world is infinitely bet- tered by the works of our men of art, sci- ence, and inventive genius. Our men have discovered or invented the greatest of dis- coveries or inventions. Many people come to the United States because they know its S Flag stands for Liberty, Justice and Edu- cation for all. From the humbler class have risen many of her greatest men, as Abraham Lincoln, who rose by integrity and tenacity to purpose. Since a nation's greatness is measured not by wealth or material greatness but by the spiritual greatness of its people, it then may be said that the United States is great, because the virtues of the pioneers have never been questioned and we are only a generation or so removedg which is not far enough to interfere with the laws of heredity. Therefore, it must be since the Flag represents the Nation that her men and women are Old Glory's greatest glory! Walter Luce, '31, XX

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THE LAUREL 9 stands for his country. Little by little the inliuence of Old Glory is spreading through the hearts of her people, and they struggle with renewed hope and vigor towards the goal of loyalty and worthiness. Our Flag is not merely the Stars and Stripes , it is the pulse beat of America. National History is written The whole upon it in letters of Red, White and Blue. It proclaims the constitution and the gov- ernment, the backbone and ribs of our country. But above all from its humble birth, the Flag has unfailinglyecarried thc supreme idea: Divine Right Of The Liberty Of Man. Old Glory has ever been a mother to us, sorrowing whenever cruel and malignant VVar took his toll: and rejoicing whenever her sons and daughters returned victori- ous. Many an oppressed subject of an- other country has found a new life to- gether with everlasting Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness under the sympa- thetic and harboring folds of the Flag. America is the melting pot of all nations, and each citizen no matter what his rank may be or what blood Hows through his veins: all pay tribute, to one and the same Flag. The deeds that have been done for our country's sake are written in letters of gold upon the breast of Old Glory, and her heart goes out in gratitude and sorrow to the people who realize her true worth. Our Flag will forever remain the sym- bol of Freedom, Equality, Justice and Humanity. Old Glory's greatest glory lies in the toil and sacrifice that the American people have suffered that they might make their Flag the emblem of the soul of America: that this great banner might reiiect the greatest wish of the people of the United States: H that Old Glory shall be a symbol of all that we are and all that we hope to be. Frances Weathern, '3o. First Prize for Boys National Essay Contest OLD GLORY'S GREATEST GLORY LD GLORY! Why call it that? That is the name William Driver gave a beautiful American Flag presented to him by a group of Salem girls. He car- ried the Flag on his sea voyages and when he decided to settle down, in 1837, it went with him to his new home in Tennessee. He Flew the Flag on such days as Wash- ington's Birthday, Fourth of July, and St. Patrick's Day. But, in 1861, when Ten- nessee seceded from the Union Old Glory vanished. When the Union soldiers took Nash- ville, the morning of February 25, 1862, Captain Driver came home accompanied by several soldiers and Captain Thatcher. He took a bed cover, held it up and told his daughter to rip it open, and miracles, there was f' Old Glory l After it was raised over the Capitol he said: Thank God! I lived to raise 'Old Glory' over the dome of the Capitol of Tennessee: I am now ready to die and go to my forefathers. Before he died he gave his daughter a bundle saying: Mary jane, this is my old ship Hag, 'Old Glory '. It has been my constant companion on many voyages. I love it a mother loves her child: take it and cherish it as I have cherished it, for it has been my steadfast friend and pro- tector in all parts of the world, among the savage, heathen, and civilized. Keep it al- ways. It was kept by the Driver family until a few years ago when it was sent to the Smithsonian Institute to be preserved with the priceless relics of the Nation. VVhat is the Flag? The Flag is the pride and joy of the Nation. The sight of it causes eyes to fill with tears and breasts to swell with patriotism. What does the Flag mean? The Flag means the Nation with all its hardships,

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