In 2016, I was traveling with 12 admirals/generals on our way to Fort Bragg for an event with 7 Medal of Honor recipients. A well-known General seated next to me commented he was interested in being a college history teacher. Why? It’s where minds are presented with alternative thinking from liberal educators. Patriotism has waned, if people really understood our culture, our history, they would feel different about their country. They would show pride in their heritage and respect the flag that represents our country.
In a Quinnipiac poll March 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a question was asked. If your country were invaded, would you fight for it? Surprisingly, about 40% said they would rather flee than fight. This lack of patriotism remains a concern.
I see the flag through the eyes of a veteran, I think about Iwo Jima and the iconic picture of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi while the war raged on. Brave, patriotic men raised that flag.
I think of Neil Armstrong, faced with a 50-50 chance of mission completion, still said yes. One of his first actions after landing on the moon was planting the American flag. A brave, courageous patriot.
I think of every ship that leaves homeport, with that banner that proudly waves. In every deployment, a ship goes in harm’s way because it does not know the unforeseen hazards it will encounter. Like a cop on the beat, when something goes wrong, it’s the Navy that is the nearest and best option.
I think of the USS Stark, Roberts, McCain, Cole, Fitzgerald, Forestall, and Evans. A crew fights to save their ship and shipmates. Brave and courageous sailors.
I think of JFK when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Be a contributor to its greatness.
I think of Reagan when he said, “Freedom is fragile, never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance, it must be fought for and defended.”
Therefore, I feel an emotional pain every time I see the Flag desecrated, pulled down, replaced by a foreign Flag, stomped on, spit on, soiled, and burned. If you want to come to this country, become part of it, assimilate, you are welcome. If you come to take, not contribute, you are a taker of what America has to offer and a burden to others who bear your cost. If you don’t want to be part of American culture but prefer to bring your culture to change ours, then stay where you are, stay with what you are accustomed, celebrate your lifestyle, pledge allegiance to your flag, and be proud of your culture.
I think of a time when patriotism was more prevalent. The Pledge of Allegiance was said daily as the first activity of the school day.
Allow me to bring meaning to the pledge.
I pledge allegiance. I, me, personally, pledge, promise, commit, allegiance, loyalty to and belief in the flag.
To the Flag. What does the flag represent? To some, it is nothing more than a piece of cloth with markings. It means so much more! 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies, seven are red, representing blood shed by our military from the beginning of our country. Six white are for purity of intention. We may not always get it right, but our intent is righteous. 50 stars each of equal size and importance. It has not always been 50 stars. In my lifetime, it was 48 until Alaska and Hawaii joined in the 1950’s.
Of the United States of America, united states, not individual states, a collaboration of fifty states that share a common purpose, a belief in stronger together than individually, united in cause, one nation.
And to the republic, for which it (the flag) stands. A republic, different than a democracy. In a democracy, you campaign, rally votes, and in winning an election, the majority rules. They are in a position to implement regulations, raise and spend taxpayer money, and write laws applicable to all. In a republic, every individual is important; certain rights are guaranteed to you by the Constitution. Individual Rights that cannot be taken away. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, right to bear arms, right to assemble peacefully, freedom of the press for transparency in a representative government, to expose wrongdoing, to be a check, not propagandize, and to educate the voting public. You have property rights and the right to vote. You have all these individual rights that cannot be taken away by a majority.
One nation. Adam Smith, a political economist wrote “The Wealth of Nations” in 1776. He argued differences and benefits between central government and local government. He believed local government is closer to the people and where most policy should be decided; however, some things can only be done at the national level. Establish a currency, a superior judicial system for disputes, raise an Army, regulate waterways.
Under God. Our forefathers came from foreign countries, facing religious oppression, where religious beliefs were determined by the state or where faith could not be openly expressed. Our Founders experienced a government nullifying religions and establishing one faith, the Church of England, of which the King was the head. It’s ironic how many wars have been fought over religion.
Indivisible. The pledge was written by Army Captain Balch, who fought in the Civil War. He saw the division leading up to the war, the devastation of the war, brother fighting brother, then the assassination of a President and an attack on cabinet members to continue the Confederate fight. Facing conflicts throughout history, our Country has survived the Civil War, World Wars, assassinations, and a silent coup.
With liberty. With the freedoms and liberties we enjoy, a republic can only work when you’re accountable for your actions. Freedom comes with accountability. The government’s priority is to protect the rights of its citizens. A price is to be paid for violating the rights of others.
Justice for all. Citizens have certain rights even when accused of wrongdoing. A right of presumed innocence until proven guilty. A right to a trial by a jury of your peers, a right to be represented by an attorney, and if found guilty, a right to an appeal.
This is what the flag represents to me, and why generations have fought for it.
The Pledge of Allegiance takes 15 seconds to say, contains 31 words, with only two words added from the original version: “Under God.” Eisenhower, seeing a trend of communism and atheism (red scare) during the cold war, felt we were losing our moral values, our Judeo-Christian heritage, what our founding fathers risked everything for, so he inserted the words under God knowing the pledge was said daily in schools and could influence a generation.