I was a member of the Boy Scouts of America beginning at age 10 in 1958. The flag influence of The American Legion was very apparent in everything we did involving the flag. We were taught everything which had been established by them. I have carried this respect and knowledge with me all my life.
My most moving experience involving the flag occurred during SERE training in Warning Springs, Calif., in September 1968.
This was the last part of our training prior to going to Vietnam. The last phase of this training took place in a simulated prisoner-of-war camp (it did not feel like a simulation). The last day of the experience began with the sound of a 50-caliber machine gun being fired over the camp while we were in perhaps the second or third hour of sleep from the prior night - it was dark and approximately 4 a.m. We lined up and mentally prepared for another difficult day. The loudspeaker came on, and suddenly our national anthem came over the loudspeaker while a spotlight was shone on our flag. I have never been so moved before or since - the feeling was overwhelming. We were so happy that the training was completed and we would be returned to our base.
Every time I have heard the national anthem and looked at our flag since then, I still get chills and many times think back to that final morning of training.