What is the Thin Blue Line Flag?
...A question we are often asked and worth some explanation. While the roots of the thin blue line trace its origins to the United Kingdom, it has grown in popularity here in the United States as a recognition of the commitment of law enforcement as protectors of our communities.
What is the Thin Blue Line? The phrase is borrowed from a military image of the 19th century, in which a "thin red line" of British troops ("redcoats") held off a Russian cavalry charge during the Crimean war. The first appearance of the Thin Blue Line dates back to the early 1900s when The United States Army marched into battle in their blue uniforms. Together, standing alongside, the soldiers formed a blue line, thus beginning the history we know today as the Thin Blue Line. The phrase "Thin Blue Line" was initially mentioned in a 1911 poem by Nels Dickmann Anderson. In the 1950s, the blue line was adopted by law enforcement professionals to represent their courage and sacrifice while protecting the American people.
The Thin Blue Line emblem was established to symbolize all law enforcement personnel similar to the Red Cross symbol representing all medical personnel. The Thin Blue Line embodies the unbreakable component of law enforcement standing as a safety barrier between the law-abiding citizens of America and the criminally inclined.
Ronald Reagan once said, "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid."
Above the blue line represents the "good" spoken in Reagan's quote, while below the line represents the "evil." The law enforcement brothers and sisters in the United States make Ronald Reagan's quote a reality, and the Thin Blue Line represents their constant bravery. They risk their lives daily upon the streets of America. The Thin Blue Line is a small token to remind us that the presence of law enforcement is to bring forth peace and diminish hostility and violence.
Just as the American flag pays tribute to the American people and the country's sacrifices to gain independence; the flag containing the Thin Blue Line pays homage to our law enforcement. Displaying the flag in any forum demonstrates support to our law officers for their thankless efforts in keeping the peace across our great nation.
Modern Symbol
The Thin Blue Line flag is a field of black background separated by a thin blue line. The symbolic meaning of this thin blue line is representative of all law enforcement officers. On top you have the law abiding portion of a community + a thin blue line + and all others who would intend chaos and destruction.
The team at Flags of Valor recognizes the incredible demands on law enforcement around our county, nation and beyond. We also share a common sense of fellowship forged in dangerous life and death situations.
The Flags of Valor Thin Blue Line wood flag incorporates the original design expanded onto subdued Old Glory wooden American flags, below.
Honor & Respect
Often times the best way to help yourself is to help others – and for our team of combat veterans creating our Lines Collection and the Thin Blue Line wooden flag in particular is one way we can honor our brothers and sisters in blue.
We welcome the opportunity to recognize the law enforcement community and the services they perform for the common good. Please pay them honor and respect as they serve as the line between order and chaos.
