Remembering the Flag

While driving to town the other day, I was listening to the news concerning the issues at the University of Massachusetts concerning the flying of OUR American flag. So many “remembers” flooded my mind: memories of my school days, when each day started with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. We all STOOD each morning, facing the wall or area of the room where the flag was displayed. Hand over heart we recited the Pledge. Remember, my generation was born during or shortly after World War II. The flag had real significance to each and every one of us.

My thoughts then went to my children’s school days. A country school where the students were allowed to raise and lower the flag each day. They learned the proper way to handle the flag, and it was not allowed to touch the ground (at least not on purpose), nor would any of the students entertain the thought of burning it. They learned the proper way to fold the flag, and most of all: they learned to respect the flag. Why have things changed so much? Do we need more wars to remind us of what it is our flag stands for?

Then I think of all the young men and women who have, and are, still fighting for our freedom, both at home and on foreign soils. We do not need more war. Maybe our generation needs to be chastised for allowing things to get so out of hand. Why would we even consider not honoring the American flag and all it stands for.

O.K. I will admit, the above was not entirely a REMEMBER, maybe a bit of venting also. Let’s all remember what our American flag stands for as well as remembering, and thanking all who have fought and will continue to fight to retain the freedom it represents.