COEUR d’ALENE — The Lt. George Farragut Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution announced Marie Bombaro as the chapter winner of DAR’s new Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest.

The contest was established in 2021 to focus on figures of the American Revolution in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. Students were asked to discuss how their chosen figure contributed to the founding of our nation.

Bombaro, an 11th-grade student at Classical Christian Academy in Rathdrum, chose to write about Betsy Ross in her essay titled, “Betsy Ross and the First Flag: An exceptional American who sewed a National symbol of Liberty.”

Members of Lt. George Farragut Chapter presented Bombaro with a certificate, medal and monetary award at an assembly meeting at Classical Christian Academy on Feb. 23. Her winning essay now moves on to the state competition level.

"The DAR is dedicated to historic preservation, patriotism and education,” said American History Committee Chair Stephanie Keaty. “This essay contest allows students an opportunity to expand their research skills, become better writers and learn more about the foundation of our nation's freedom."

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Margaret Marie Bombaro

Coeur d’Alene

Grade 11, Classical Christian Academy

Lt. George Farragut Chapter

Betsy Ross and the First Flag

"An exceptional American who sewed a National symbol of Liberty"

Generations come and go as the ebb of American Patriotism rises and falls. Though a young country, America has faced trials great enough to rip lesser nations in two. Countless raging wars, division in politics, a devastating economic depression and times of civil unrest have rocked America to her core. Through these constant and bitter struggles, the United States flag has flown high and proud, like the persevering, brave, and selfless American ideals it stands for. A symbol of American freedom and determination, the United States flag was first created for a fledgling country by an exceptional woman, Betsy Ross. Betsy Ross, like countless Americans, lived through hardships and trials, but ultimately overcame them and created the national symbol of United States independence. In a day and age that breeds hate against our flag, it becomes increasingly crucial to remember the values America stands for and the great men and women, such as Betsy Ross, who contributed to make the United States the nation we are blessed to live in today.

Elizabeth Ross was born on January 1, 1752 in Philadelphia to an ever-growing Quaker family. Being the eighth of seventeen siblings, Betsy had to earn her keep. Sarah Griscom, Betsy’s great aunt, began to teach the little girl how to sew. This led Betsy to be apprenticed to

William Webster, an upholsterer, where she honed and perfected the art of sewing skillfully. At the age of twenty-one, Betsy fell in love and finally eloped with fellow apprentice, John Ross. Soon after the couple’s marriage and the founding of their own upholstery shop, John Ross enlisted in the Continental militia. He died in action shortly after the start of the Revolutionary war, leaving Betsy a young widow. Her beloved husband had made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving Betsy determined to aid the fledgling country he had died fighting to free.

In the summer of 1776, Betsy Ross received an opportunity from gentlemen of a secret committee, which included General George Washington, head of the Continental Army. Mrs. Ross was acquainted with General Washington; her pew at Christ Church in Philadelphia was across from Mr and Mrs Washington’s. On this occasion, General Washington and his committee requested a flag to be created which would become the banner of their young country. There were several varying flags used by the colonies and militia, such as the Continental Navy’s famous rattlesnake bearing the legend: “Don’t Tread on Me.” This new flag, however, was to unite all the banners of the Continentals; it would be the emblem of a nation. The Continental Congress had created a basic layout for this flag, using six-point stars. Betsy finalized the design by suggesting the use of five-point stars, which could be cleverly cut with a single snip. Betsy Ross, armed only with a sewing needle and thread, united the core values of the colonies into a single piece of fabric. White stars and stripes, signifying purity and innocence to reflect America’s pure ideals and peaceful promise keeping. Red stripes to remind the new nation of the blood which had been shed for her independence and freedom as well as to recall the hardiness and valor of her citizens. A blue backdrop symbolizes justice, vigilance and perseverance as a beacon of America’s watchful and strong nature.

Betsy Ross’s impact on the United States cannot be underrated, as this symbol of freedom and patriotic values set her nation apart from others in the world. America was founded upon the desire to escape British occupation-- to become one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This vision of the Founding Fathers was to be a revolutionary new democracy, a place where social status and background did not hinder hard working men and women from pursuing their dreams. Betsy Ross was one of these women. A young lady of obscurity, being born into a family of no great background or wealthy inheritance, became a figure of enormous importance in American history, taking her place with the heroes of the Revolutionary War.

In this present dark age in America, it is crucial to remember the values and bravery demonstrated by the heroes of the Revolutionary War, including Betsy Ross . The flag she stitched is a worldwide symbol for hope and liberty, created for an utterly unique country which upholds the rights of men and women to pursue their dreams in peace and freedom. As many men and women before and after, Betsy Ross understood the importance of America and the patriotic sacrifices she was willing to make for her country. Through her contribution to the United States by uniting the nation with a single flag, Betsy Ross became an iconic figure of the Revolutionary War era, bringing hope and pride to countless Americans. As Francis Scott Key wrote in what would become the National Anthem, “O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” It still unfurls, free in the American breeze, silently summoning citizens to remember why this flag was created in the humble hands of a young woman, Betsy Ross.

Resources and works cited:

1) History.com Editors. “Betsy Ross.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/betsy-ross. 2) “What Do the Colors of the Flag Mean?” The American Legion,

https://www.legion.org/flag/questions-answers/91471/what-do-colors-flag-mean. 3) Miller, Marla R. Betsy Ross and the Making of America. St. Martin's Griffin, 2011. 4) Blakemore, Erin. “Betsy Ross Likely Didn't Sew the First U.S. Flag.” History, National Geographic, 1 July 2021,

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/betsy-ross-likely-didnt-sew-the-first us-flag.

5) Alexander, Kerri Lee. Biography: Betsy Ross,

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/betsy-ross.