Solomon Y.W. Watkins

Glory unto the almighty -09/30

August 24 – Flag Day Must Not Be Merely Celebrated!

By Y. Solomon W. Watkins
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From a young age, we are taught to honor the national flag, a duty that demands loyalty, commitment, faithfulness, honesty, diligence, and above all, allegiance to our country.

The national flag is more than a mere symbol. Its colors and design are rich with historical meaning, offering insight into both our past and our aspirations for the future. Each year, on August 24, Liberians across the country commemorate National Flag Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring the creation and symbolic significance of our national emblem. On this day, children parade through the streets with miniature flags in hand, a tradition that underscores our collective pride.

It was on October 24, 1915, that the President of the Republic of Liberia, Daniel Edward Howard (1912 to 1920), signed into law an act passed by the National Legislature, declaring August 24 as a public holiday. This act was intended to encourage every citizen to see the national flag as a symbol of pride, loyalty, and dignity.

The original Liberian flag, first adopted in 1827, closely resembled the American flag but featured a white cross in place of the stars. However, in 1845, a significant incident occurred: a Liberian vessel flying that flag was seized by Britain, which deemed the design illegal. This event was pivotal, ultimately leading to Liberia’s declaration of independence in 1847 and the redesign of the flag.

The revised flag retained some elements of the original, such as its red and white stripes, but featured eleven stripes instead of thirteen. It also introduced a single white star on a blue field, a symbol of Liberia’s sovereign status in a continent still largely under colonial rule. Today, many refer to it as The Lone Star.

Each element of the flag holds deep meaning:

- The blue field represents the African continent.
- The white star stands for the freedom granted to formerly enslaved people.
- The eleven stripes represent the eleven signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
- The six red stripes signify valor, while the five white stripes, symbolize purity.

As we reflect on the meaning of Flag Day, we must go beyond surface-level celebration. The values symbolized by our flag, loyalty, dignity, and purity, must be embodied in our daily lives and our national consciousness.

Purity, in this context, calls for transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of democratic ideals in a nation where misrule, repression, and corruption have sparked conflict and instability. These values are crucial to post-war recovery and peacebuilding efforts, supported by both our government and the international community.

As we work to consolidate our fragile peace, loyalty to the state must be understood not merely as allegiance to leaders, but as a commitment to justice, truth, and national development. This includes rejecting practices that threaten national stability, such as corruption and impunity, even if such practices are widely normalized. In a weak justice system, let YOU be the light in the darkness.

This is the loyalty we owe, not just to the state, but to ourselves and future generations. For the better Liberia we seek must live in us, with us, and through us, not merely in our words but in our deeds.

As we commemorate this year’s Flag Day on August 24, let us commit anew to the nation. The future we desire won’t come to us passively, we must go after it, claim it, and build it.

Ask yourself:

What three actions can I take to bring about the change Liberia needs?

For the change that Liberia needs begins with YOU. Don’t wait for Liberia to become better before you become better. Be the reason Liberia becomes better.

The change we seek is already in YOU.

Note: this article was first published in August, 2017 by Liberian journalist: Y. Solomon W. Watkins

A Birthday Tribute to the ‘Adam and Eve’ figures of Grand Bassa County – Senators: Gbehzohngar Milton Findley & Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence

On this special occasion, we join the people of Grand Bassa and Liberia at large in celebrating the birthdays of two iconic trailblazers in Bassa Legislative Caucus Chair, Senator Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, and President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, whom history will forever record as foundational pillars of our beloved county.

Revered as the ‘Adam and Eve’ of Grand Bassa’s political renaissance, the two are not just the most visible political figures from the county in the post-war era, they are the first to rise, lead, and sustain Grand Bassa’s voice at the highest levels of national decision-making since the passing of the late Sen. John A. Whitfield. Their resilience, prominence, and pioneering roles in both the executive and legislative branches have inspired generations of Bassa sons and daughters to believe in the possibility of county-driven leadership at the national table.

But as we celebrate your lives and your journeys, we are reminded that Grand Bassa still yearns for greater coordination, a common agenda, and the healing of long-standing divides. The people continue to carry the weight of missed opportunities. Now more than ever, the county looks to you for leadership that transcends titles for unity that heals, uplifts, and delivers.

Beyond the high-level aspirations of unity and reconciliation, several urgent needs cry out for immediate action:

 The decentralization and operational upgrading of health facilities, particularly in rural districts, where access remains a daily challenge for pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

 Youth and young adult empowerment programs that go beyond token initiatives, focusing instead on educational advancement, technical skills training, agricultural cooperatives, digital literacy, and real job creation.

 A county scholarship and financial aid fund with a transparent governance framework to ensure equity, continuity, and impact for deserving students across institutions.

 Rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads to support smallholder farmers and boost local economies, especially in isolated agricultural corridors.

 A special commission or working group on reconciliation and unity within Grand Bassa, led by trusted elders and stakeholders, to resolve internal fragmentation and restore collective pride.

These are not just political issues, they are people issues, real and urgent. Grand Bassa cannot afford to move in different directions any longer. The time to consolidate leadership, bridge gaps, and forge a united front is now.

So, as you both mark another year of life, may this be more than a moment of reflection, may it ignite a renewed charge to stand together, to lead together, and to finish the work you began for the people of Grand Bassa and Liberia.

Happy Birthday, Sen. Findley and Sen. Lawrence.

May your new year be filled with wisdom, grace, and the strength to answer the call of history once more.

With deep respect and hopeful urgency,

Solomon Watkins
Citizen of Grand Bassa County