‘Oh, say, can you see …’ Museum displays 10 Revolutionary flags until New Year Published Dec. 2, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The United States flag stands as a symbol of freedom and has for more than 231 years. Although, it is not without a rich history of changes, and Paula Taylor, Warren's museum director, said she has recently acquired a group of 10 replica-flags showing visitors the Revolutionary flag's history from 1776 to 1814. The replica flags consist of the Grand Union Flag, Gadsden Flag, First Stars and Stripes, Serapis Flag, Great Seal, Sons of Liberty, Constitution Flag, First Regimental Colors, Whiskey Rebellion and the Star-Spangled Banner. Mrs. Taylor said she has been the museum director for about 17 years and she is thrilled to have these flags at Warren, but the flags are only on loan from the Wyoming Army National Guard until the New Year. "These flags are a part of who we are as Americans, and it shows the military today they weren't the only ones who were involved in fighting for freedom," Mrs. Taylor said. "Since the 1700's we have been preserving our rights, and that's what democracy is all about." Flags such as these would have been used during combat, she said. Troops would have carried these flags and led others into battle. "Its important to me to make sure the general public understands the sacrifices each and every military member has made for our country, whether they have deployed or not," Mrs. Taylor said. "These flags are symbols of what those before us fought and died for, and I am thankful there are Americans who find freedom so important that they volunteer for the military." Today's United States flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, representing the 13 original colonies, seven red alternating with six white. The stars represent the 50 states of the Union. But this wasn't the case with earlier Revolutionary flags because there weren't any standards, Mrs. Taylor said. For example the Gadsden Flag, also know as "Don't Tread on Me," was designed by Colonel Christopher Gadsden of South Carolina for Commodore Esek Hopkins, commander of the new Continental fleet. The flag was yellow with a coiled snake in the center and at the bottom the motto "Don't Tread on Me" was written. Mrs. Taylor said several people that have seen the Gadsen flag said the wing should take on this motto for the upcoming inspections in December. The Serapis Flag, also known as the John Paul Jones flag, was unique in that the stars had eight points rather than five, Mrs. Taylor said. It also has an alternating blue stripe among the red and white stripes. This flag was used Sept. 23, 1779, during one of the most famous Revolutionary naval battles when Jones engaged the British frigate Serapis, she explained. During the battle two of Jones' cannons burst and the British captain asked if he was ready to surrender. Jones replied "Sir, I have not yet begun to fight." The Grand Union flag, also known as the Continental flag, was used from 1775 to 1777, but was never officially sanctioned by the Continental Congress. It is considered the first flag of the United States, Mrs. Taylor said. It combined the British King's Colours and the thirteen stripes signifying Colonial unity. On January 1, 1776, this flag was first raised on Prospect Hill in Somerville, Mass. Mrs. Taylor said the base museum is in the process of acquiring the flags on a more permanent basis from the Wyoming Army National Guard. The museum staff is thinking about displaying the flags at an upcoming deployment supper, and possibly an Airmen leadership school graduation. Mrs. Taylor said they are very dedicated at showing these flags to as many people as possible to share the history and importance of what the flag stands for today. "The longer I work here the more patriotic I become," she said. If anyone is interested in having the flags displayed, call the museum at 773-2980.