Local Man's Love Of Flags Translates Into Education
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
WINONA LAKE - "These are my favorites," Ken Locke said of the 13 Colonial and United States flags on display at the Billy Sunday Visitors Center and Museum.
Locke got hooked on historical flags when they were used during a Scout leadership camp ceremony a few years back.
He began collecting U.S. flags, purchasing them at auctions, until the prices became too steep for him.
At the same time, his interest in Revolutionary War banners and design changes led him to begin researching the national symbol.
Locke now presents educational programs at schools and for organizations.
"It's a very easy, visual way to talk about American history. Kids love it, adults love it, too," he said.
Some of the replicas on display at the museum date back to pre-Colonial times, including the white Viking flag (1000) featuring the outline of a raven; the Spanish banner carried by Christopher Columbus (1492); and the Red Ensign (1620) flown by the Pilgrims.
Brief histories accompanying each flag give the flag name and date and tell about a historical figure or group.
The Gadsden flag, the fifth of the display, was carried by American patriots in 1775. The description reads:
"One of the most popular symbols of the new country, the uniquely American rattlesnake appeared on various flags and literature with and without the warning to respect the determination of the American people to win freedom. This flag features a snake coiled and ready to strike. Other flags such as the Continental Navy Jack has an outstretched snake on 13 stripes alternating red and white. The Culpepper Minute Men added the words 'Liberty Or Death' on their banner.
"One political drawing of the day had a rattlesnake cut into 13 pieces emphasizing the importance of unity in this battle for freedom. The rattlesnake warns before it strikes. The Colonists were warning Britain that they would fight for their freedom."
"You can imagine 'The Appeal to Heaven' flag was not appreciated by the British," Locke said, gesturing to the words across the top of the banner with a fir tree depicted in the center.
Colonial dissidents congregated under the large trees to avoid being overheard by British loyalists. The firs point to heaven, the Colonists' way of saying they answered to a higher power than King George.
Variations of the current 50-star, red-and-white striped flag began with George Washington's Grand Union flag of 1776.
White five-pointed stars on a blue field were added in 1777, supposedly by seamstress Betsy Ross. The circle of 13 stars represented the "new constellation" of America.
According to Locke, Washington described the flag's symbolism: "We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."
One of the most pleasing star designs is the 1861 34-star flag flown by Abraham Lincoln. In its square of blue is a center star surrounded by two circles of stars with a star in each corner.
As seven southern states prepared to secede from the Union, Lincoln raised the 34-star flag over Independence Hall on Washington's birthday.
"Every flag has a story," Locke said. "I keep researching the main flags. The 48-star flag served as the national flag the longest of any, from 1912 to 1959.
"I've found the flag means different things to each of us." [[In-content Ad]]
WINONA LAKE - "These are my favorites," Ken Locke said of the 13 Colonial and United States flags on display at the Billy Sunday Visitors Center and Museum.
Locke got hooked on historical flags when they were used during a Scout leadership camp ceremony a few years back.
He began collecting U.S. flags, purchasing them at auctions, until the prices became too steep for him.
At the same time, his interest in Revolutionary War banners and design changes led him to begin researching the national symbol.
Locke now presents educational programs at schools and for organizations.
"It's a very easy, visual way to talk about American history. Kids love it, adults love it, too," he said.
Some of the replicas on display at the museum date back to pre-Colonial times, including the white Viking flag (1000) featuring the outline of a raven; the Spanish banner carried by Christopher Columbus (1492); and the Red Ensign (1620) flown by the Pilgrims.
Brief histories accompanying each flag give the flag name and date and tell about a historical figure or group.
The Gadsden flag, the fifth of the display, was carried by American patriots in 1775. The description reads:
"One of the most popular symbols of the new country, the uniquely American rattlesnake appeared on various flags and literature with and without the warning to respect the determination of the American people to win freedom. This flag features a snake coiled and ready to strike. Other flags such as the Continental Navy Jack has an outstretched snake on 13 stripes alternating red and white. The Culpepper Minute Men added the words 'Liberty Or Death' on their banner.
"One political drawing of the day had a rattlesnake cut into 13 pieces emphasizing the importance of unity in this battle for freedom. The rattlesnake warns before it strikes. The Colonists were warning Britain that they would fight for their freedom."
"You can imagine 'The Appeal to Heaven' flag was not appreciated by the British," Locke said, gesturing to the words across the top of the banner with a fir tree depicted in the center.
Colonial dissidents congregated under the large trees to avoid being overheard by British loyalists. The firs point to heaven, the Colonists' way of saying they answered to a higher power than King George.
Variations of the current 50-star, red-and-white striped flag began with George Washington's Grand Union flag of 1776.
White five-pointed stars on a blue field were added in 1777, supposedly by seamstress Betsy Ross. The circle of 13 stars represented the "new constellation" of America.
According to Locke, Washington described the flag's symbolism: "We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty."
One of the most pleasing star designs is the 1861 34-star flag flown by Abraham Lincoln. In its square of blue is a center star surrounded by two circles of stars with a star in each corner.
As seven southern states prepared to secede from the Union, Lincoln raised the 34-star flag over Independence Hall on Washington's birthday.
"Every flag has a story," Locke said. "I keep researching the main flags. The 48-star flag served as the national flag the longest of any, from 1912 to 1959.
"I've found the flag means different things to each of us." [[In-content Ad]]