When the American Revolution began we didn't have assets of our own or funding for a military, we didn't even have a central government. The bravery of our men and women in our nation at the time was evident, as they didn't give in to their fear. In 1775 George Washington, as the Commander of the Continental Army, commissioned six ships to prepare for battle against the greatest nation on the earth - the British Empire. This newly commissioned Naval Fleet was required to fly flags to identify our small but brave nation in the making. George Washington's choice was a white flag bearing the image of a Pine tree at its center and over it, the inscription "Appeal to Heaven"