Our flag

Sachse, TX

As a Vietnam veteran who fought for our flag, it means everything a proud American can ask for. It represents most of all our freedom to do as we please; it also represents the unlimited opportunity we have to become whatever we want, as long as we are willing to work hard to achieve it. It reminds us of all those who came before and paved the way, in their blood, so that I may have the freedom I so much cherish. Our country is certainly not perfect, but we as a people are constantly changing things to try to make it so. If this isn't so, then why would so many people be wanting to come here and leave their own country? And if you believe there is a much better place, then why haven't you left already? It does break my heart to see athletes disrespect our flag, and allowing people the right to desecrate our flag. I believe they have a right to protest, but too many people died for you to protest against our flag and national anthem. Protest for your cause, but not against a place that has given you your freedom and way of life which is so much better than elsewhere. Maybe upon high school graduation or at a certain age a two-year mandatory draft should be implemented to allow you to serve your country and be sent overseas to see how the rest of the world lives. First, this may allow you to appreciate what freedoms you do have, and secondly to allow you grow up and see reality. I may be just an old-fashioned grunt, but my flag don't see colors or religions or races. It just screams AMERICANS to all my brothers in arms.. The blue represented the heaven to which we all prayed to the same God, the white was for the purity in all our hearts as we cared for one another and hoped to see our loved ones again, and the red was for the blood that was shed and those who paid the ultimate price so others would have future freedoms. In my life nothing has ever been perfect, but our flag and which it stands is about the closest thing that has ever been. I'm proud to be an America, and will always be. My only wish is we as a country look at each other and lend a hand to each other and only see each other as another American, and not be divided by our differences but rather leverage them to strengthen our abilities. And I leave you with a quote I have never forgotten: "For those who fight for it, life has a meaning the protected may never know."

No photo attached - my flag is, and will always be, burnt into my memory.

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