Some interesting facts about the rattlesnake:
A rattlesnake never attacks unprovoked and would rather avoid contact than engage with it. However, when threatened, they attack and never surrender.
Just what is the Jack flag? The Jack Flag has a rattlesnake superimposed across the American flag, oftentimes accompanied with the logo, “Don’t Tread On Me“. In May 2002, the Secretary of the Navy directed the use of the rattlesnake jack in place of the union jack for the duration of the Global War on Terrorism while Navy ships are in port.
The U.S. Navy is using the rattlesnake on the Jack Flag, to remind the world of America’s strength and courage. The rattlesnake represents American unity – as a single rattle upon the snake makes little sound, but coupled together with other rattles – the sounds are heard far and wide as a warning signal to invaders of their space – “Stay away from me or else!.
This from the U.S. Navy website,
“Today, as America faces unprecedented threats, this historic symbol of our founding fathers has emerged as a powerful reminder of our origin and true courage. Since May 2002, all U.S. Navy ships have flown the First Navy Jack from 8 a.m. to sunset daily while in port. The temporary substitution for the Union Jack represents a historic reminder of the nation’s and Navy’s origin and the will to persevere and triumph during the global war on terrorism.”
Since that fateful strike against American soil on September 11th, all U.S. Navy ships while in port are flying the Navy Jack flag and they will continue to do so until the global war on terrorism comes to an end (will it ever end?)
It was Commodore Esek Hopkins who first used the Navy Jack as a signal to engage the British in the American Revolution. The Jack in today’s fleet represents a historic reminder of the nation’s origin and America’s fighting fleets.
Since 1775, the primary mission of the US Navy has been to ensure freedom of the seas and as terrorists threaten free commerce and individual liberties, the Navy Jack Flag represents a renewed commitment by the Navy to our founding American principles: to secure freedom, both at home and abroad.
Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq122-1.htm
