The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, VA (VR) – What a breathtaking picture. On June 13, 2026, three hundred (300) United States Flags covered the grounds of the Historic Masonic Amphitheatre in Clifton Forge, Virginia, to honor the birthday of our American flag and the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation. Members of the Clifton Forge Main Street and the VA250 committee invited the businesses and local organizations in town to donate the flags. With the help of businesses and groups such Domino’s Pizza, Lollie’s Quilt Shop, The Town of Clifton Forge, The Elks Club and others were able to cover the grounds in red, white and blue.
In keeping with the annual Flag Day celebration at the Historic Masonic Amphitheater, the following flags were displayed:
The Betsy Ross Flag is an early design of the American flag featuring 13 alternating red and white stripes and 13 white stars arranged in a circle on a blue flag. Also called “the 13-Star Flag”.
The Sons of Liberty Flag, often called the “Rebellious Stripes,” is an early American emblem of defiance against British taxation.
The “Continental Colors”, also known as the Grand Union Flag (1775), was the first national flag, featuring the British Union Jack in the canton and 13 red and white stripes.
Star Spangled Banner (1795) expanded to 15 stars and 15 stripes (representing Vermont and Kentucky). This flag flew over Fort McHenry and inspired the National Anthem
The 20-Star Flag, officially adopted on July 4, 1818, is famously known as the ‘Great War Flag” or the Great Luminary Flag.
The 34-Star Flag, officially adopted July 4, 1861, is officially known as “The Gettysburg Flag” or the “Civil War, Union Flag.
The 46-Star Flag, officially adopted on July 4, 1908, is famously known as the “Oklahoma Flag”
The Bunker Hill Flag is an iconic Revolutionary War banner featuring a dark blue field, a white cannon containing the red St. George Cross, and a green pine tree in the upper-left corner. It symbolizes early colonial unity and New England’s regional identity.
The 250th Flag celebrates 250 years of freedom with official America 250th flags and décor.
The official Army Flag, introduced in 1956, features the war office seal on a white field with “United States Army 1775’ below center stage of the amphitheater displays “Old Glory” flag of today.
The Clifton Forge Main Street organization would like to thank all the many volunteers who made this 250th Anniversary Flag Day so special and memorable this year.
Long wave “Old Glory” and God Bless the USA.
VFW Auxiliary Post 1033 Members (Marian Paxton photo)
