Missouri flag should be standardized

By Brendan Koch

I am a home-school student, and I'm 18 years old. I have become aware of complaints about the bill HB 1241.

I am the person who gave state Rep. Roorda the proposal to modify and/or change the Missouri flag.

Let me start with the fact I am a collector and a proud Missourian. I love flags, from the Revolutionary War, Civil War (both North and South) to present day, and obviously Missouri. I love the history of Missouri and studying the history behind her flag.

The reason why I made this proposal (to standardize or modify the flag) is because of the seven Missouri flags I own, only three are the same. The difference is either in the colors, the sizes, the bears, the moon or just other little tiny details. But it's not only my flags I have seen difference in.

Another reason is because I do not think most Missourians know what it stands for; it can't be copied, drawn or described easily, which makes it harder for it to become ours. There's some confusion going on that says the new design is to represent the French. As the designer of the flag, I can assure you it has nothing to do with the French.

The picture I hope you get is what it looks like. The red, the white, and the blue are there giving tribute to the U.S. and the original Missouri flag. The bear and the moon are taken from the Missouri state seal; the bear represents the sovereignty and the strength of her people; the new moon represents the possibilities of Missouri.

Every time I look at it, I see a different part in Missouri's history.  

A diagonal, wavy, white line separating the bear and the moon represents the Missouri River and also the Mason- Dixon line: the two separated sides -- north and south and the two governors Missouri had during the Civil War.

Like I said, it was to standardize our flag; however, I still feel the current Missouri flag is too busy and should be modified to make it easier for Missourians to understand.

Brendan Koch is an Arnold, Mo., resident and designer of a proposed new flag for Missouri.