More paperwork for us. Banking, social security, orders, prescriptions, it never seems to end. So we took a break to look at some other paperwork.
I thought we were going to see the Freedom Plane National Tour: Documents that Forged a Nation. That’s not until the end of the month. What we did see is For Which it Stands: The Many Threads of the American Flag.
It was about the American and other flags. This was at MOHAI, the Museum of History and Industry.
A few of the artifacts/stories that stood out for me.
1936 Flag from the Olympics
The pledge of allegiance: I didn’t get a picture of the flag from the classroom, but here’s a local story.
The pledge of allegiance was written after the Civil War. It being said in elementary schools each day was started a long, long time ago. A Seattle school teacher, Marietta Iwasyk, from 1963 to 2024,had her students recite the pledge, as was required. However, when she found out the male teachers were being paid more than she was, she added 2 words to the end, “We wish!”
I also learned that Memorial Day was started by Civil War veterans who didn’t want others to forget what they fought for. I wonder if all of the folks who like to make the flag their symbol alone and patriotism right white might remember the history.
Raincharm's Weblog 
July 10, 2026 at 9:04 am |
I doubt that the ultra patriots know much about history, nor would they believe it or care about it. That’s the frightening part of the world we’re living in. John and I have enjoyed several trips to MOHAI. I loved The Boys in the Boat and so did my dad.
July 10, 2026 at 11:25 am |
I was surprised by the number of things that tie back to the Civil War. I guess I had not given much thought to where things started, besides the Star Spangled Banner. I still have some much to learn. The fact that those living with the Civil War saw fit to memorialize their experience speaks volumes.