The alarms began to wail sending families into panic. They knew this was it. They couldn’t fight them off any more. They were the last town in all of America and Ironically one of the first. The town used to be very large but was slowly reduced down to those unable to fight back.
Everyone made their way to the flag pole the last four hundred Americans alive amassed around the flag they had always known to mean freedom. The flag that had meant safety for them.
Their last stand. America’s last stand. The children all ran forward raising the flag to show America wouldn’t go down without a fight. Everyone stood watching in defiance as the British army marched up the hill at least a thousand of them glaring with guns aimed and ready to fire.
“Surrender and we will let you live.”
Everyone in the crowd remained silent. The only sound that could be heard was the flapping of the flag in the wind. It seemed the test of each others will was endless until one of the British spoke out, “You want to stand for a soon dead nation? So be it. Is there any last words you would like to say for your country?”
One man stepped forward taking a deep breath and putting a hand on his heart, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of America,” Everyone in the crowd followed his example, Tears flowing freely but not in sadness, in pride, pride that even though they could walk out freely and unharmed they choose to stay and represent the country that had always been their own. A country they could truly call home.
“And to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
It remained quiet for a few moments before the British opened fire. No one ran or tried to fight. They were just still, holding their hands to their hearts.
When it was over all but a few members of the army turned to march away.
“Should we remove the flag sir?”
“Leave it,” The officer spun marching after his troops.

“Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.”~ Adlai E. Stevenson