There was a time I’d have been shocked to hear an adult American ask why there’s a Flag Day. Now I’m sickened by it. The Internet overflows with every kind of information imaginable. If you don’t know, take the time to find out.
As a little boy watching parades, I remember standing in awe as veterans from World War 2 and Korea marched past with the American flag snapping and shining. I’d be standing by my father and was always stirred inside as I’d see the National Guardsman in him suddenly stiffen, standing ramrod straight with shoulders back as The Stars and Stripes passed.
At some point I began scanning the crowds lining the curbs and remember how many others, men and women, were doing the same thing. Many were saluting the colors, and the pages of their eyes had entry stamps on them from places like Normandy, Iwo and Inchon.
At school the following Monday, I’d walk into a classroom where that same mysterious blend of fabrics and embroidery, saturated with the honor and sacred memory of so many other dads and moms who faithfully served, was hanging – ready for us to recite The Pledge of Allegiance.
We even sang. “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and “America” and “This Is My Country”.
It was a matter of personal pride and my privilege as a young adult to enlist and serve under that banner that had always held such a hallowed place in the echoing halls of my memory.
I’m revulsed to see the wanton disregard toward our flag by pampered, spoiled and immature people loosely self-identifying as Americans – only for what they can get. It’s no wonder non-Americans see nothing wrong with defaming and defacing it. I’ll waste no time berating them, for being the vapid simpletons they are, they seem to drink from the same septic trough kept overflowing by sworn enemies of our nation. I will digress long enough to address them thus:
“If you are fool enough to desecrate and dishonor the American flag that symbolizes your freedoms to be as dull, lazy, shallow and inept as you are, please don’t do it around me.”
I shouldn’t need to say this, but for those few who might not know how important a thing it is to the rest of us . . .
Please fly the American flag every chance you get. There are still good men and women serving and dying to make it possible. You might even encourage your neighbors to fly it, too.
© D. Dean Boone, June 14, 2016.