Peggy Walther swears she has patriotism running through her veins.

At least that's what she tells people.

"I was over at Madigan the other day, and I told them if they test my blood it comes out red, white and blue," the 82-year-old former schoolteacher said with a laugh.

Walther, a member of the Mary Ball Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, dressed up as historic seamstress Betsy Ross on Monday and handed out miniature flags and flag literature at the Lakewood Library as part of Flag Day festivities.

Ross - a seamstress who lived in the late 1700s and has been erroneously credited with making the first American flag - stands as a recognizable figure when it comes to the flag's history. That's what Walther was hoping to convey to children walking by her display.

"I've been greeting kids and encouraging them to look her up (on the Web) and see what it says about her and what you can learn," said Walther, who's traced her own ancestry back to Rhode Island and has been a member of the DAR for nearly 20 years.

Behind her table of flag literature, an elaborate display inside a glass case on the wall greeted library patrons. The display contained various patriotic items all owned by Walther and facts about the American flag.

"My heart is with the children and education," she said. "I try and make the display different every year so children will come and look and hopefully their parents will read them some of the display cards."

Walther also spent part of the morning handing out flags at several stores and restaurants.

"I just love talking to kids and telling them how the flag represents our country."