Celebrate Flag Day!
We are graced with another day to honor our nation, particularly, to honor our flag. It’s been more than a hundred years since this celebration has been conceived but it is still just as important. It’s been a national event since 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the anniversary of the “Flag Resolution of 1777” to be observed. But it wasn’t until August 3, 1949 that it was officially designated as the National Flag Day. Since then, through the Act of Congress, June 14th of each year was designated as America’s National Flag Day.
But what’s the story of a simple flag?
A flag is not only an image you see to identify the name of a country. More than that, it symbolizes a nation of people. It represents different backgrounds, different ethnicities, and different cultures. It is a reminder of all the wars and all the triumphs that it survived. It marks the milestones for man and identifies all who have come together for allegiance. A flag speaks of the stories of generations past and generations to come.
Some two centuries ago, according to legend, in June 1776 first president George Washington commissioned a seamstress from Philadelphia. Betsy Ross was tasked to create a flag for a new nation that was yet to be declared. A year later, that same month, on June 14, 1777, political philosopher and second president of the United States of America John Adams declared that “the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” That was not exactly too specific about the design. How many points should the stars have? How should these stars and stripes be arranged? This resulted in twenty-seven official versions later. After some time, stars have been added to the American flag to represent the states that have entered the Union. The current version has been the American flag since July 4, 1960, when Hawaii became the 50th state.
However, no matter how many versions of the American flag came since then, what’s important beyond the stars and stripes is its meaning. As Robert Simons, commander of the Disabled Veterans in Lubbock and former military man of the air force, said "The flag is a symbol to the rest of the world of what the United States represents -- the field of blue for honor, white for purity, red for the blood we shed." Former Coast Guard, Rodney Ringler adds "It's the symbol of our nation—us together. We may have different backgrounds, religion and colors, but we all come together for one common good, and that's the belief."
Significance of flags at present
Today America celebrates Flag Day in several ways. Be it holding parades, the academe hosting essay contests, local and national offices hosting ceremonies, and veterans' groups sponsoring picnics, everyone together with the National Flag Day Foundation aim to preserve the history, pride, and respect that are due the nation's symbol, the flag.
Though this is not a federal holiday, the nation upholds the tradition as it is proclaimed by the President each year and Americans celebrate by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses commemorating the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.
Flags in Fountain Pens
Influenced by this tradition of honoring the flag or the nation it represents are fountain pens. Artisan groups have been the pioneer in developing and producing limited edition fountain pens. Crafting a few pieces of the kind, here are some to name a few.
Montblanc 4th of July Pen
The Montblanc 4th of July pen is created with a faceted 18K white gold filigree for the cap and barrel where each facet was inlaid with white mother-of-pearl while the rest of its body is a transparent red; easily the red and white stripes on the American flag. Thirteen carefully selected signatures were also finely engraved into the facets of the pen and the clip. What makes it more special is the barrel end and cap which was adorned with white diamonds to represent the thirteen original states. Lastly, the platinum-plated 18-karat gold nib is engraved with the reimaging of Thomas Jefferson, one of the American Founding Fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Pelé Icons Montegrappa Pen Limited Edition
Teaming up with Dubai Duty Free, Montegrappa launched an exclusive pen dedicated to the Brazilian footballer Pelé. The Icons Pens pay tribute to notable figures of sport, culture, and entertainment. Esteemed as the footballer who “changed the fame for all-time” the Heritage models come in 18K solid gold or black resin with silver trimmings. The top cap is shaped like a football and reads “All Hail the King” while the crown features the colors of the Brazilian flag in yellow, with green surrounding it. On the other hand, the nib is etched with Pelé’s signature while another version has the classic image of Pelé’s ‘bicycle kick’
Aurora Ipsilon Italia Fountain Pen
Aurora is a great Italian brand. This design has the body coated with glossy dark green resin and decorated with silver accents. The bottom part of the cap has rings with the colors of the Italian flag. These rings of green, white and red are printed with "Aurora, Made in Italy". The top part uses a silver ring that attaches to the silver clip of the pen. The green barrel has a silver ring at the bottom and a simple nob at the end. Lastly, before the other end is a small silvering ring that separates the rest of the barrel from stainless-steel nib.
Other special mentions
Montblanc: Russian Flag Ateliers Privés Limited Edition Skeleton Fountain Pen
Montblanc Mexican Flag Ateliers Privés Limited Edition Fountain Pen
Montblanc Union Jacket Never Say Never Again Rocket Pen
Montegrappa UAE National Day Limited Edition pen collection
Salute!
Ultimately, whether we see flags inlaid in designs for limited edition items or raised high in full mast, let’s give honor and respect to this meaningful representation of our nation, the United States of America. Through the best and worst of times, let us remember the glory and give the recognition it deserves.
By Some Folks at EndlessPens
