I chose this flag because it shows character with the darker and lighter red in the red stripes.  I put the darker red in to show the red got a little darker each time a brave man or women lost their life fighting for our coun-try.  The red signifies hardiness and valour, and the white purity and innocence. I put all thirteen stripes because of the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain. The fifty stars represent fifty states of the United States of America. The blue behind the stars stands for vigilance, perseverance and jus-tice. I used the soldier because it shows that the men and women of this country stand strong and are brave in protecting our country.  The eagle is the national symbol of the United States and it shows majestic beauty, amazing strength just like the men and women that protect this great country.