By Dorothy Harris

When I was in first grade, I learned how to stand with my hand over my heart and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Proudly repeating the Pledge to the flag followed me through my high school years. In January 1951 I became a woman in the Air Force and learned how to stand at attention and proudly salute the flag.

After marriage and the birth of my children, I became a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and several years later I became a dual member of The American Legion. Again, at meetings, I proudly placed my hand over my heart and repeated the Pledge of Allegiance.

In 2019 I applied for and was accepted as a member of Captain Molly Corbin Chapter NSDAR in Grapevine, Texas. After being sworn in, I was presented with the flag that flew over the DAR Constitution Hall in my honor on Veterans Day 2019. It was an honor this 89-year-old Korean veteran never expected but will never forget.

Although my salute is a little shaky today, it is and always will be done with pride and respect.