Defending the Flag Aired on: 27-Jun-2013 Dear Mr. Moby, After listening to your small-town soapbox of the other day in regards to the burning of the American flag, I immediately wanted to jump on the Internet and launch my own soapbox. However, I decided that I would give myself some time to put things into perspective and offer an opposing point of view to that of what I believe is a misguided veteran. I do not understand how a veteran of the military of these United States can honestly say they defend the right of someone to burn a symbol that so many have fought and died for, a symbol that stands alone in providing security for the people who live under its protection, one of the most cherished symbols of our nation, a symbol that lies burning in the streets of foreign countries who seek to destroy us and our way of life. As a veteran, I defend the right of the person carrying that flag to speak ill of it, to speak ill of those who serve it, to speak ill of the government that flies that flag, but at no time will I ever condone or permit the destruction of that symbol. As a veteran, I am sworn to defend against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and whether that enemy attacks this country, this government, or its citizens, I will continue to defend each of them until I can defend them no more. Though some may believe that it is their right to burn the greatest symbol of our country, it is my duty, my honor, and my privilege to defend that symbol, just as our ancestors have done for more than 200 years. The most beloved and soul-stirring image of World War 2 is not of battles, it’s not of men, it’s not of places. It is a single photograph of a flag being raised on a battlefield in the South Pacific, a flag being raised by Americans, many of whom are faceless in the photograph; an image that stirred a nation, that moved them to finish the fight. That image was so precious that it was recreated in our nation’s capital so that generations could remember the effect that it had on its people. So, as a veteran with an opposing point of view, I offer this. You defend that right to burn our most beloved symbol, and I will continue to defend that symbol and what it stands for against anyone who intends it harm for I believe it represents more than the material that it’s made from. It represents countless sacrifice and suffering by millions to ensure that we have those rights. At countless military installations and onboard hundreds of ships in locations around the world, the American flag flies high. Higher than any other flag, save one. Every morning and every evening, the American flag is raised and lowered with reverence, with honor, and with ceremony. It is raised in the morning with crisp, swift movements to show everyone that it stands proud and tall. It’s lowered in the evening with ceremony, slowly. When it flies at night, it is illuminated so that it can be seen by everyone. It drapes the coffin of our fallen and given to the surviving family to honor their ultimate sacrifice on behalf of a grateful nation. After the events of 9/11, countless Americans showed their support not by protesting but by flying the American flag at their homes, at their work, at parades and funerals. The sight of the American flag has been stirring patriotism in Americans since 1776, and striking fear in our enemies, and for someone to say that they have a right to burn that flag and then live under its protection sickens me. I will defend the American flag against anyone who feels they have a right to burn it. When I see anyone desecrating an American flag I will stop them and I will defend it. That is my right, my honor and my sworn duty. God bless you, God bless the military, God bless this nation, And most of all God bless the flag and all that it stands for. Your humble servant, William EntrekinD
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 09:24:39 +0000
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