Aloha Everyone,
I try my hardest to keep my comments and community reporting on the positive side, but I would like to express my opinion on the recent anti Trump protest yesterday in San Jose, California that showed demonstrators burning our American flag, the symbol of our freedom, safety, and peace.
This past Memorial Day weekend, I visited the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl to place flowers on the graves of loved ones. As I walked along the grave headstones, I read the names of our U.S. Armed Services men and women who served their country in time of war and peace. Many serving and fighting in multiple wars and conflicts like my father who was a veteran of both the Korean War and Vietnam War. He proudly retired in 1972 after serving 21 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He taught me the value of our American flag and the respect it deserves. What it also meant to see an American Flag flying proudly on the battle field or compound in a foreign land or flying proudly on post back in the U.S.A. going to and from work.
To this day, whenever I attend military funeral services for fallen family and friends, the emotions that run through me when the American flag is presented to the family of the deceased veteran with honor and respect, followed by a 21 Gun Salute, the gratitude I feel for their commitment and ultimate sacrifice for their country and for all of us is overwhelming with pride.
The American flag is the heart and soul of its people. The spirit of our freedom is within its stars and stripes. We remain free because the flag has been fought for, a fight that continues today throughout the world from our U.S. Warriors here in our homeland and in harms way.
Burning the American flag is disrespectful and should be viewed as Un-American. For those who feel they have the right to burn the American flag, maybe they should be sent into battle against a hostile and aggressive enemy that is trying to take away their freedom. Guess which flag they will be looking to hide behind?
Photo by Barry Villamil | [email protected]