The American flag has many names, Stars and Stripes, The Star-Spangled Banner, but none carry the same warmth and reverence as Old Glory. It’s a nickname that has come to represent not just our flag, but the enduring spirit of a nation united by freedom, sacrifice, and pride. Yet few people know the story of where that name came from—or the sea captain whose love for the flag gave it life.

“Old Glory is more than a flag, it’s the heartbeat of a free people, stitched with courage and sacrifice.”

Old Glory began its journey in 1824, when Captain William Driver, a shipmaster from Salem, Massachusetts, was given a beautifully hand-sewn American flag by his mother and friends before he set sail. As the flag was hoisted above his ship, he proudly exclaimed, “Old Glory!” The name stuck, and so did his devotion. Through years of voyages and even during the Civil War, Captain Driver kept that same flag safe, hidden from Confederate soldiers and later raised high again when the Union reclaimed Nashville. His original flag still rests today in the Smithsonian, a treasured piece of our history.

The story of Old Glory reminds us that our flag is not just a symbol, but a living testament to the endurance of the American spirit. Each stripe carries stories of struggle and triumph, and every star represents the unity of a nation built on hope. For Captain Driver, protecting his flag was an act of defiance and love for his country. For us today, caring for and replacing worn flags is a continuation of that same devotion.

Together, let’s make sure Old Glory continues to wave proudly, today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

At Guardians of Old Glory, we carry that legacy forward, ensuring every American flag flying across our neighborhoods reflects the honor and dignity it deserves. By restoring tattered flags and replacing them with new, American-made ones, we’re not only preserving a symbol; we’re keeping Captain Driver’s spirit alive and inspiring others to take pride in our nation’s most enduring emblem.