He purchased the textiles in bulk. Once back at his workstation, he took it to the sieve. He secured the wire mesh in the sieve’s frame. Using the sieve, he strained the solids from liquids. Like his parents before him, he generated a pattern with stars and stripes. He transported the fabric to a steamer where dye was applied. He then cut the fabric to size. Finally, finally, finally, with a soldier’s discipline he sewed the fabric together. Out of cotton a flag appeared. A flag is simply fabric. But, if a country spreads the idea their flag represents freedom, then its citizens are free to love it or hate it. They are also free to mythologize and/or criticize.