Brite Star Kids "Proud American"s

Proud Americans A Brite Star Kids Book Copyright © 2023 by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)3 All rights reserved.

Published by The Brite Star Foundation, Inc. 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway Suite 338 Las Vegas, Nevada 89141 Vincent W. Goett, Publisher

ISBN Paperback

979-8-89750-238-7

Digital

979-8-89750-239-4

No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.

Alexander goes to Brite Star school. His little brother Chuckie goes to Brite Star preschool. They like to get to school early to play on the playground with their friends.

One morning Chuckie was playing with his friends when he noticed JanitorBrad putting a flag on the big pole in front of the school.

“Alexander, why does Janitor Brad put that flag up every morning?” heasked.

“That’s the United States flag, Chuckie,” Alexander said. “It’s the flag of the country we live in.”

“Why does he put it out every day?” Chuckie asked.

“I’m playing with my friends. Go ask Janitor Brad,” Alexander answered, running off to play.

So Chuckie went to talk with Janitor Brad.

Some of his friends called out, “Hey where are you going?”

“I want to talk with Janitor Brad about the flag,” Chuckie said.

“We want to come, too!” his friends said.

“Janitor Brad, we have a question!” Chuckie said.

“Well, I’ll see if I can answer it,” Janitor Brad answered. “What do you want to know?”

“We want to know about this flag that you raise every day,” Chuckie said.

Well, I’m happy to tell you about it,” Janitor Brad said. “Have a seat here by the flagpole.

The first thing to know is that every country has it’s own flag. This flag represents the United States of America. It stands for everything we Americans careabout.”

“The first American flag was made in about 1777, in the middle of the Revolutionary War,” Janitor Bradsaid.

“What’s the Revolutionary War?”Chuckie asked.

“Glad you asked,” Janitor Brad said. “Our country used to be ruled by Great Britain.

When the people here wanted to rule themselves, they had to fight a war to get their freedom.”

“The first American flag only had 13stars and 13stripes. Do you know why?” Janitor Brad asked. The children looked at one anotherbut no one even had aguess.

“It’s because there were 13original colonies in this country. A colony was like a town. Each star and stripe stood for a colony,” Janitor Brad explained. “That’s how the flag got the nickname of theStars and Stripes.”

“Wow, the Stars and Stripes has waymore stars on it now,” Chuckie said.

Way to notice things, Chuckie,” Janitor Brad said. “Now there are 50 stars on the flag.

That’s one for each state in the United States.

There are still 13stripes, honoring the 13 original colonies.”

“Who made the first flag?” a little girl asked.

“A woman named Betsy Ross usually gets the credit for sewing the first flag,” Janitor Brad said. “It could have been her but it also could have been a few other people. No one really knows for sure.”

“Why do people stand up or put a hand over their heart when they see a flag ina parade?”

Chuckie asked.

“We do that to show honor and support to the flag and what it stands for,” Janitor Brad said. “We stand up and we put our hands on our hearts to show respect for it and for our country.”

“Many, many soldiers have fought in wars to make sure this country stays free. A lot of soldiers died protecting this great nation and all of us enjoy freedom because of them.”

“So,” Janitor Brad continued, “we stand to show respect for what those soldiers have done for us. We are kind of like a family because we are all Americans. We stick together and support each other and this country. We stand to honor the freedoms our country gives us and the wonderful lives we have here in Brite Star.”

“But we’re just kids. Why do we have to stand up and put our hands on our hearts when we say the pledge of diligence?” Chuckieasked.

Janitor Brad smiled. “It’s the Pledge of Allegiance. When we say it we are saying that we are loyal to the flag and to this country and to everyone who has fought to make sure that we have our freedom. That’s important, even for kids.”

“Well, you all better get inside. It’s time for your school day to begin,” JanitorBrad said.

“Thank you for telling us about the flag,” the kids said. They each saluted the flag and then ran inside.

At the end of the school day the Brite Star kids stood by the flagpole as Janitor Brad took down the Stars and Stripes.

They were all quiet and respectful, standing with their hands on their hearts as the flag came down.

Think About It

1. What does Chuckie notice Janitor Brad doing?

2. What question does Chuckie wantto askJanitor Brad?

3. How many stars and stripes were on the first flag?

4. How many stars are on the flagtoday?

5. Who is usually given the credit of making the first flag?

Let’s Work Together!

Understanding why the flag deserves to be treated withrespect is important. How canyou show respect for the flag and for those who fought to make sure you canenjoyfreedom?

I Will . . .

• Learn the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Think about what the words in the Pledge of Allegiance mean.

• Stand when a flag passes mein aparade.

• Respect and honor military veterans whofought for my country.

Think about what you might like to be when you grow up. Would you like a career where you help others and care for people?

"The Brite Star Kids— Entertaining Through Life Lessons in the Magical World of Brite Star!"

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