Our Flag Was Still There

In times of trouble, this great country unites as one. We rally around our flag as a symbol of our strength, our courage and our determination to persevere.

Francis Scott Key said it best: "that our flag was still there." Our flag will always be there as a symbol for us and the rest of the world that we will still be here after "the rockets red glare" and the smoke clears.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001 our flag took on an additional meaning. The flowing red strips represent the medical and EMS personnel who were there to help the wounded and lost their lives in the process.

The blue background represents the law enforcement officers who were there to serve and protect and died alongside their comrades.

The white stars represent not only those heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man, but also the innocent civilians who lost their lives in this heinous act of barbarism.

Every time we look at our flag we must remember this day and remember those who lost their lives, just because they were Americans. We need to raise our flag high and wave it so that everyone will see that we are still here, that we have the strength, the courage and the determination to persevere. That we are "the land of the free and the home of the brave"!

God bless America, and God bless those who protect if from criminal tyranny.

Editorial by Officer Michael T. Rayburn

Saratoga Springs Police Department