About The Author

The Authors Story

Born in 1959 and growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, our country experienced many events during that time.  First Man on the Moon, The Vietnam War, Fight for Civil Rights, Assassination of President Kennedy, Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Fight for Women’s Rights, Watergate, and Gasoline Shortages of the ’70s.

But the event that I remember to this very day was The Bicentennial Celebration in 1976.  My parents took my brother and me to the Bicentennial Ball in Greeley Colorado.  I was awestruck.  So many people celebrating the 200th Birthday of our country.

Our family would have been described as fiercely patriotic, meaning we are proud and grateful to be given the blessings to live in the United States of America.

My father and mother are first-generation Americans.  Their parents immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island.  My grandparents were grateful to be Americans and reminded my parents often while growing up in the 1930s and 1940’s the value of our country, our liberty, and our freedom.

Fiercely patriotic; probably a more accurate description; Proud to be an American.

Both my parents experienced the Great Depression and World War 2 (WWII), we were fortunate that everyone from our family that fought in WWII made it back home.

My 3 uncles were drafted and fought in WWII, each told stories about the pride, resolve and purpose of their fellow soldiers.  They would talk with prideful emotion how each person knew the importance of what each was fighting for. 

Two of my uncles were paratroopers and both jumped over Germany toward the end of the war, their stories about how grateful people were to see the Americans and the Allies.  So many fought and died to protect Liberty and Freedom.

This book was written to help children to embrace the value of our freedom.  The pride for our country and for the symbol of freedom and liberty known around the world as the flag of the United States of America, The Star-Spangled Banner.

Why did Francis Scott Key write the poem “Defense of Fort McHenry”?  Imagine the pride and awe of the new day on September 14, 1814.  This book helps the reader to understand and feel the emotion that must have been experienced on that momentous morning.

Our Flag is more than a flag; the Star-Spangled Banner, the Flag of the United States of America is recognized around the world as the symbol for Liberty and Freedom.