These foreign officers were anxious to meet the mother of their chief. Their devotion to George Washington naturally created a desire to meet her who above all others had contributed most to his character. We have this description of that meeting:

They were prepared to expect in the mother that glitter and show which would have been attached to the parents of the great in the countries of the Old World. How they were surprised when, leaning on the arm of her son, she entered the room dressed in the very plain yet becoming garb worn by the Virginia lady of the time. Her address, always dignified and imposing, was courteous, though reserved. She received the complimentary attentions which were paid to her without evincing the slightest elevation and, at an early hour wishing the company much enjoyment of their pleasures, observed that it was high time for old folks to be in bed and retired, leaning as before on the arm of her son.

Here we have a glimpse through the veil of time into that simple scene which brings us into touch with the first American War Mother.

She did not boast of his achievements; she did not speak of his heroic deeds; she did not refer to any great act of his which drew the admiration and devotion of the world to him. To her he was George, the son, and in all the histories of that time we find but one small reference to any compliment she paid him, and that was when she said:

George was always a good boy and deserves well of his country."

How modest, how retiring, how beautiful is this renunciation, but we may be sure that love and pride and beautiful attachment warmed the heart of this noble woman when, after her immortal contribution to the world, she rested for a time in the glory of life's setting sun, and passed on.

To-day we do well to honor War Mothers. To-day we bring to them the Nation's thanks and devotion, and it is well

that we do so. Every Gold Star in that glorious constellation of womanhood represents all that could be given-all that could be sacrificed.

But let us not forget those other mothers who have made sacrifices that the world might be made better.

And among those glorious mothers let us exalt that mother who brought into the world the man whose Two Hundredth Birthday Anniversary the Nation celebrates next year in the greatest event of its kind ever held in this or any other country.

The mothers of men are the link between heaven and earth. When we think of our mothers whose noble, unselfish, tireless devotion to us is never dimmed, never destroyed, no matter how far our footsteps wander from the course which they marked out, we are close to the Great Creator of us all.

The constancy of mother love is the divine light which shines upon the world. It is the one trustworthy, unfailing guide that leads us all safely home.

The memory of our mothers is a treasure that grows more beautiful with the years. It is the one thing that we can not forget. It is the one thing that we would not forget if we could.

Whatever the buffetings of fate may be, whatever the sorrows and disappointments we encounter in our life struggle, we can always be sure that somewhere there is one who, although she may be sitting in the shadows, yet waits and watches and prays for our return.

Among all true men and women, every day is mother's day. And if we remember her precepts and are guided by her example, the world will be full of beauty and unselfishness.

To all mothers everywhere let us pay that heart tribute which is due them, but which we more especially owe to ourselves, for no thought of motherhood can come to us without lifting us nearer to God.

FLAG DAY

ADDRESS BY HON. SOL BLOOM, OF NEW YORK, BROADCAST FROM THE BETSY ROSS HOUSE, PHILADELPHIA, BY THE COLUMBIA BROADCASTING COMPANY AND ASSOCIATED STATIONS JUNE 14, 1931

To-day I have the rare pleasure of bringing my great radio audience to a house and to a room forever enshrined in the patriotic hearts of the American people.

I am speaking to you from the house of Betsy Ross, on Arch Street in the city of Philadelphia.

In the room where I am standing there was brought into being just 154 years ago the glorious flag of our beloved

country.

Here almost at this hour, on June 14, 1777, George Washington, the Commander in Chief of the Continental forces of America, handed to Betsy Ross, the Quaker seamstress, a design for a flag which was to become immortal.

Within these walls was enacted a scene of which little record is left, but that scene will live forever in the spirit of our country.

It was a practical errand which brought General Washington here. He arrived without ceremony, without military display.

Congress had approved the general plan for an American flag. Up to that time our troops had many flags. But our country had none.

The records of Congress disclose no debate upon the question of a flag. We do know, however, the actual wording of the resolution which brought the flag into being.

That resolution stated:

Resolved: That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.

In these simple words authority was given to General Washington as Commander in Chief to design the flag, and upon the same day a visit was made to this house and to this very room. There are many conflicting opinions as to the exact date of the event, but I have taken the one that seems backed by the best authority.

When George Washington entered the portals of this modest house he found Betsy Ross busy at her needlework, which was her regular occupation. As she worked she hummed a song, softly, so that she could listen for the tiny tinkle of the bell of her shop door in front of this house.

George Washington entered with two companions. One was George Ross, who signed the Declaration of Independence and was an uncle of Betsy's deceased husband. The other was Robert Morris, the great patriot.

As they entered, General Washington said:

"Mistress Ross, we have come to-day to ask you to help in making a flag for our country. We do not feel pleased with the grand union flag because of the King's colors in the canton, so we have planned another."

"You can make it, can't you?" asked her husband's uncle. "To be sure she can," spoke up Robert Morris. "No one could do it any better than she does. Does anyone make finer neckwear?"

"It's different making a flag, but I would like to try. Tell me the idea," said Betsy Ross.