In an unknown date in the future, the United States is in a raging civil war. The specifics of such a war are largely unknown, but what is known is that a man from Northern New York leads a massive rebellion, seizing control of the state. This rebellion eventually seizes control of the main 13 states, while the rest of America burns. The Appalachian Empire is born, although it may espouse itself as a bastion of freedom, it is an authoritarian dictatorship under the command of this man, who has crowned himself King of the new Empire.
The Empire outcompetes the other states in a long grueling campaign. However the damage to the world was done, as something known as
The Event occurs, which renders modern technology and life useless. The Empire dominants North America, and after he dies, it collapses into various successor states.
3,000 years later, the Empire is remembered much like Rome, and many seek to achieve such a thing. Eventually, President Edward IV, of the Kingdom of Noleans replicated a similar thing under the age old name 'United States'.
Flag of the Appalachian Empire:
The sword represents the trajectory to victory, the single mindedness of their leader and follows, the black represents death and despair, the stripes are old nostalgia to the good old days, while the circle part with the black stripes is the 'trinity' of the empire "Pursuit, Valor, Foresight."
While the reaf around the swrd represents the duality and mirroring of opposing forces creating equality and balance.
Which is what the trajectory and pursuit of their goals achieves. Equality and Balance, between opposing forces.