{"id":85,"date":"2012-04-05T13:25:24","date_gmt":"2012-04-05T13:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essportscouncil.org\/stars-stripes\/?p=85"},"modified":"2012-04-15T16:25:00","modified_gmt":"2012-04-15T16:25:00","slug":"85","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/essportscouncil.org\/stars-stripes\/post\/85\/","title":{"rendered":"Stars & Stripes Forever"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0For more than 200 years<\/strong>, the American Flag<\/strong> has been the symbol of our nation’s strength and unity. \u00a0It’s been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens. \u00a0And the American Flag<\/a><\/strong> has been a prominent icon in our national history. \u00a0Below are some of the highlights of its unique past:<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0On January 1, 1776<\/strong>, the Continental Army was reorganized in accordance with a Congressional resolution which placed American forces under George Washington’s<\/strong> control.\u00a0 On that New Year’s Day<\/strong> the Continental Army was laying siege to Boston which had been taken over by the British Army. Washington ordered the Grand Union<\/strong> flag hoisted above his base at Prospect Hill<\/strong>. It had 13 alternate red and white stripes and the British Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner (the canton).<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0In May of 1776<\/strong>, Betsy Ross<\/strong> reported that she sewed the first American Flag<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0On June 14, 1777<\/strong>, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “\u2026Resolved, that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen (13) stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen (13) \u00a0stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Below<\/strong> is an excerpt from the lyrics to Stars & Stripes Forever written by John Phillips Sousa, that embodies the meaning of the American Flag:<\/p>\n

The emblem of the brave and true<\/strong>
\nIts folds protect no tyrant crew;<\/strong>
\nThe red and white and starry blue<\/strong>
\nIs freedom’s shield and hope.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hurrah for the flag of the free!<\/strong>
\nMay it wave as our standard forever.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Today<\/strong> the flag consists of thirteen (13)<\/strong> horizontal Stripes<\/strong>, seven (7)<\/strong> \u00a0red alternating with six (6)<\/strong> white. \u00a0The Stripes<\/strong> represent the original 13 Colonies<\/strong>, the Stars<\/strong> represent the 50 States of the Union<\/strong>. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red<\/strong> symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White<\/strong> symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue<\/strong> represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0As<\/strong> the newest part of the Empire State Liberty Tour<\/strong>, it is our hope that Stars & Stripes 5k Twilight Run<\/strong> will draw particular attention to the celebration of those that have given, and continue to give their lives, so that we can remain a Free and Safe people, able to have the many opportunities to pursue Happiness!<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0There are no \u201cRecords\u201d<\/strong> to review, as this was the inaugural running for this event, but if you scroll down, you will see the thumbnails of those that won in their respective Age Divisions.\u00a0 Please remember that for the Master\u2019s Age Divisions, the times were Age Graded.\u00a0\u00a0 To view the \u201cResults\u201d<\/strong> from the 2010 Stars & Stripes 5k Twilight Run<\/strong>, just click \u201cResults\u201d<\/strong> from the navigation bar.<\/p>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0We look forward to having everyone back next year, and with many more!\n\t\t