VILLA PARK : U.S. History Unfurls for ‘Flag Lady’

It’s easy to understand why the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Paula Burton with a national patriotism award last week.

The 52-year-old substitute teacher, who dresses in red, white and blue, is known in Orange County schools as “the Flag Lady.”

Her Villa Park home has flags poking out of plants, an embroidery of the 31 words that make up the Pledge of Allegiance framed on a wall, American soldier statues and dishes adorning the mantels and other patriotic memorabilia tucked in every corner.

“Flags unfold a great story,” Burton said. “When I look at the flag, I see Francis Scott Key writing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and George Washington at Valley Forge. I see American history, and we all need to know about our founding fathers.”

The 100-year-old Pledge of Allegiance stirs up feelings of pride, loyalty and love for the United States, said Burton, who was born in the Netherlands.

She was commended for her national campaign to teach children the meaning of the pledge and patriotism with the Americanism Award, which is given to naturalized citizens who encourage U.S. patriotism.

“I was very much inspired with what she had done,” said Mary Crouch, a member of the Katuktu chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Tustin.

She nominated Burton for the honor. “We are always looking for people who are really doing something for their country, and she is so dedicated.”

Burton emigrated from Holland with her family in 1950, five years after her father escaped from a German labor camp where he was held during WWII.

“Until you’re out of the country, you don’t realize what we have here,” she said. “So we need to respect the flag and the pledge.”

Burton engineered a national school celebration commemorating the Pledge of Allegiance’s centennial anniversary last year, complete with an official song, an exhaustive teaching curriculum and nationwide pageants.

She sent every school district in the country--more than 16,000--a pamphlet filled with facts about the history of this country. She also got 31 governors to issue state proclamations declaring Oct. 9 “National School Celebration Day.”

“I am so grateful to live in this country,” Burton said. “The pledge creates an electric feeling of unity. The words are meaningful because our founding 200 years ago was so unique. Our common bond is freedom. Children have to know that. Patriotism needs to be invigorated at all times.”