A patriot who loves his flag

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Steve Smith
  • 37th Training Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  I’m proud to call myself a patriot.

I try to do my part by reminding people that the American flag they are flying represents, among many things, the people who have lived and died defending it.

Whenever I see someone in a business, vehicle or house who is flying a flag that needs to be replaced, I make a point of politely asking that person to please remove his or her flag until it can be replaced.

Many of them don’t realize a federal law protects the flag. Chapter 1 of Title 4 United States Code, Flag and Seal, Seat of Government, and the States, addresses our nation’s flag. It states in Section 8 (k), “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

Like many things that we see every day, we sometimes tend to ignore them. People don’t realize that the frayed, tattered, torn or faded flag they are flying shows disrespect to the men and women who are fighting and dying today for what it represents.

On a recent trip out of state, I asked two people if they’d please replace their flag. The first, in a small village office in Ohio, agreed it was time and that she hadn’t noticed. The second was at a hotel in Arkansas and that flag was the worst I had seen. It was fluttering against a pole in two pieces, torn in half below what used to be the proud field of blue that was now faded to grey. The stripes that represent our original union, were frayed and almost one third of each was gone. The manager said “it’s not my flag, I don’t salute it,” and I replied that it was my flag and I did salute it. Hopefully it has been replaced.

On Flag Day in 1915, President Woodrow Wilson said “The lines of red are lines of blood, nobly and unselfishly shed by men who loved the liberty of their fellow men more than they loved their own lives and fortunes. God forbid that we should have to use the blood of America to freshen the color of the flag. But if it should ever be necessary, that flag will be colored once more, and in being colored will be glorified and purified.”

I challenge you to show your patriotism and help in replacing flags that have seen better days. First look at the flag you might be displaying yourself. Does it fly proudly, or is it ready for a change? Then look to your neighbors and the businesses you visit and drive past.

These flags have served their country and custom demands that they be destroyed with dignity. Any Veterans of Foreign War or American Legion post, and most Boy Scout troops will accept flags for ceremonial disposal.

If each one of you who currently serves in uniform, or have served, will remind people what that flag stands for, we will soon have every flag flying across this great country looking the way it is supposed to look.

Are there any other patriots out there?