This piece was awarded First place in the Daughter's of the American Revolution American Heritage Exhibit, Pastels for 2024.
DAR American Heritage 2024
Chapter General James Moore
2024 Theme: “Celebrating Stars & Stripes – Forever in Our Hearts Through the Arts.”
Painting Title: “Honor Flags”
As I was passing by the Wake Forest Birthplace and Historical Museum I was in awe of the presentation of the numerous flags on the front lawn. From June 14 through June 20, the Wake Forest Historical Museum hosted the first annual Honor Flags celebration presented by the Hearts for Children Foundation. The Honor Flags celebration is a community event that acknowledges those who have positively influenced our lives. Each flag represents a personal hero – a teacher, coach, mentor, or community leader who has been a hero in someone’s life. (From https://wakeforestmuseum.org/2021/06/14/honor-flags-at-the-museum/)
The display of the Stars and Stripes was impressive. I was so moved by the display that I knew I had to paint this scene because it was inspiring and evoked a patriotic and proud emotional response even before I knew the meaning of the display. What a way to honor those who have positively impacted one's life.
As I walked around this display I had the feeling of pride and patriotism. I’m sure such a display would evoke the same strong emotions in others viewing the display and hopefully the painting of it.
More than just representing America, our flag represents truth, high standards, liberty, freedom, unity, courage, perseverance, and justice. The 19th-century clergyman Henry Ward Beecher, in the book “The Flag” describes the stars as a “symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial.” He also writes that the stripes are “symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.” In 1986, then-President Reagan offered a different interpretation, stating that the flag’s colors represented the “qualities of the human spirit (that) Americans cherish”:
Red represents courage and readiness to sacrifice.
White signifies pure intentions and high ideals.
Blue symbolizes vigilance and justice.
(retrieved from American Flag History / Facts About What The American Flag Means. “https://wethepeopleholsters.com/blogs/news/america-flag-history-facts-about-what-the-american-flag-means”, September 21, 2021).
It is significant that this wonderful display of the American flag was located at The Dr. Calvin Jones House, a historic home located in Wake Forest, North Carolina where my DAR chapter holds our monthly meetings. The house was built around 1820, and is the town's oldest dwelling. Calvin Jones, the planter and owner of the 615 acre farm invented the name “Wake Forest,” was a physician, educator, journalist, military strategist, and politician. It is also significant that this flag display represents a hero in someone’s life such as teachers, mentors and community leaders because our DAR supports education, patriotism and historic preservation through our many activities.
In 1832 John Purefoy, a Baptist minister, persuaded the North Carolina Baptist Convention to purchase the farm called Wake Forest and establish a literary school to produce Christian leaders. Samuel Wait, the first president, led the school which became very successful and in 1837 was named Wake Forest College.
In 1956 only one month after Wake Forest College moved to Winston-Salem, a group of eleven women from The Wake Forest Garden Club saved the house from demolition. In 1959 the non-profit organization of Wake Forest College Birthplace Society was created. Their mission is to preserve, share, and support the full unique history and culture of Wake Forest; the College, Town, and University. The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, 10/13/22).
This historic house, the Wake Forest Birthplace and The Wake Forest Historical Museum is inextricably linked to the town of Wake Forest and Wake Forest University. It is fitting that with its rich history the celebration of personal heroes represented by the Stars and Stripes is located here.
The painting, “Honor Flags”, is an 11x14 pastel on Uart pastel paper. It is my hope that the painting will instill patriotism, gratitude and pride as did the incredible exhibit on the grounds of the most historic location in my town.
