picture description: This is a Flag of the United States of America, hung on an indoor flagpole, and resting in a standard.  The Flag of the United States of America is one of the fundamental symbols of our Nation.  It has a field of blue with 50 stars on it, one for each of the current (anno Domini 2000) 50 states.  The field rests at the upper left corner of 13 stripes, 7 red and white.  The red color stripes are a visual metaphor for hardiness and valor (including the lives given by America's Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen in defense of liberty during wars obtaining and maintaining America's indepence); the white stripes signify purity and innocence;  and the blue field signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice.