Old Glory, The Stars and Stripes, The Star-Spangled Banner some of the names of our flag, the symbol of the United States. Through 250 years she has stood for truth and freedom. Now that very freedom is under attack.
Throughout history the flag has flown during battle, war, and peace. She sits proudly on the shoulders of our military and flies above our Capitol. The US flag holds historical significance in the history of our city, Rome NY. From the siege of Fort Stanwix to the burial place of Francis Bellamy at Rome Cemetery, Rome is forever linked to the story of the flag.
Francis Bellamy, the author of the Pledge of Allegiance, graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1876. A revised version of his pledge became the official pledge of America in 1954.
There is a good chance that an early American flag flew for the first time during the Siege of Fort Stanwix, a major battle of the Revolutionary War in August of 1777. Flying the flag of thirteen red, white, and blue stripes, the colonists proclaimed No King!
Like many Romans, I have a personal history with these symbols. During my childhood and into my teens my dad directed us on a Thanksgiving “constitutional” to Rome Cemetery. Of course, we visited Francis Bellamy’s grave and read his original pledge of Allegiance; sans the words Under God. Today we embrace the words with freedom and justice for all that end that pledge.
We are fortunate to live in a city and a country that reveres and honors the history of our founders. We must embrace that history and the courage of the American Revolution.
Americans will gather throughout the country on June 14. With concern for our Constitutional Republic and the rule of law, our aim is to honor our flag and the revolutionaries that made our nation possible and proclaim No Kings in America.
June 14, 2025, is a great day to join your fellow citizens in honoring our history. Join the NO KINGS RALLY at Fort Stanwix National Monument, N. James Street, Rome NY at noon!
R. Kekis
Rome NY
