The Enigmatic Power of the Flag

We all know the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. Indeed, a painting may convey the full range of human emotion, the worldly condition of its subjects and their relationship with a higher power or practice, all with an economy of masterful strokes that a hefty tome cannot describe. Symbols, likewise—not so much for what they inherently convey, but for the meaning we invest them with—convey almost as much information as a painting. Which brings me to the flag of the United States of America. According to a U.S. Government website, “The flag's 13 red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Its 50 white stars on a blue background represent the 50 states.” Furthermore, the red stands for “valor and bravery,” white stands for “purity and innocence,” and blue stands for "vigilance, perseverance, and justice.” But how does this description even begin to do justice to the emotions felt by a family member of someone who has died “fighting for that fla...