Do Not Lower the American Flag to Anyone!
In 1908, England hosted the International Olympic Games. As entries from every country passed the King of England where he was seated, they lowered their flags in a very courteous salute.
Ralph Rose, bearer of the American flag, and several Irish-Americans from the Irish-American Athletic Club of New York were following the beautiful Stars and Stripes.
Irish have long memories and especially during this era, did not like that the Irish of Ireland still had to follow the England’s Union Jack. They and their American cousins across the Atlantic pond, resented England’s control over the little Irish island.
One of the powerful athletes of the Athletic Club sidled up said to the Rose and spoke firmly into his ear.
“If you dip that flag this morning you will be in the hospital tonight!”
Rose took that promise seriously, of course, and the beautiful colors of the United States of America stood tall as they passed the king, which caused a bit of the old fiery scandal for a time.
Throughout several of other Olympic games came and went for a few years, where it was the choice of the bearer or team whether or not the great American flag would be lowered or not. However, in 1936, during the Olympics in German under the regime of Adolf Hitler, Americans who had strong convictions against the Little Corporal refused to lower the American flag to that country.
Thanks to Rose, the tradition was set. In 1942, it became a federal law under the official United States Flag Code instructing that “the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.”
"The flag represents a living country and itself is considered a living thing," explained Mike Buss, a flag expert for The American Legion.
So as the flag of the United States of America flies overhead, remember, this symbol of American freedom should never be subjugated as long as America stands!
“May your pockets be heavy;
And your heart be light;
And the angels protect you
By day and by night.”
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To read more of the story of the story of Annie Moore, read "St. Patrick's Secrets, 101 Little-Known Truths and Tales of Ireland" by Helen Walsh Folsom.
With the aid of my daughter, Bettse Folsom, we are responding to a series of answer & questions & snippets about Ireland that many people have asked me during events where I have attended. If you have a question, please contact me by email and I will be happy to address it.
Thank you for reading my blog!
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