I shared an image yesterday of Marblehead Light reflecting in rainwater after a storm passed through Marblehead. Having captured that image, I wandered around the puddle of water looking for other reflections when I spotted Old Glory at half mast and perfectly balanced with its reflection in the water.
I again decided on a square crop to help the inherent symmetry of the image. Thankfully, there was just enough wind to set the flag waving but not enough to disrupt the mirror like surface of the rainwater.
I had never looked up the history of the term Old Glory before and was surprised to read that it originated next door in Salem, MA. The story goes that William Driver was given a flag for his ship by his mother in 1831. Upon seeing the 9 1/2 by 17 foot American flag unfurled in the wind, he exclaimed “Old Glory” and promptly gave that name to the large flag. After retiring from the sea, the flag was kept by Driver who had to hide it at one point from Confederates. In 1862, when Nashville fell to the Union, Driver brought his flag to the Capitol to replace the small regimental flag and personally raised it. He remained on guard that night to watch over his flag. The flag was eventually given to President Harding and now resides in the Smithsonian Museum.