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On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act to establish an official flag for the new nation. This Act stated that the flag be made with 13 alternating red and white stripes. The Union was 13 stars in a blue field to represent a new constellation.

Over the next 182 years the flag underwent several changes. President Eisenhower, by executive order on August 21,1959, gave us the flag arrangement we have today.

On May 25, 1995 a constitutional amendment was proposed that would make physical desecration of the flag illegal. After passing the Constitution subcommittee, the House, and the Senate Judiciary Committee, the amendment fell 3 votes short of the two-thirds majority it needed to pass the Senate.

Because of the failure of this amendment we see protesters marching through Oakland burning American flags. We have students at Central Michigan University burning flags. We see a woman marching around in protest of the Iraqi war with American flags tied around her feet like socks.

Am I the only one whose blood boils red, white, and blue when seeing these acts of desecration to a flag, My flag, that stands for the greatest country, My country, on Earth? I’ll tell you what, there’s a big sandbox on the other side of the world where people gather in the streets to burn American flags and chant anti-American sentiments each day…go join them if you want to burn a flag.

In all of America’s wars there have been a combined total of approximately 653,700 Americans killed in battle. This is only in battle, not other deaths during military service. These men and women died to protect the freedoms that are being abused. They died so I can get up every day and go to the job of my choice. They died to I can sit here and write this article without fear of being executed for my opinion. They died so I can vote for my country’s leaders. They died so people can gather to protest. They did not die so people can burn or trample the flag during those protests.

It’s a shame that an article like this even needs to be written. People who live here should remember why they are free to do so.

I do not know the original author of the following writing. If anyone does, please let me know.

The red is for blood of Americans true
Who gladly would give up their lives for you.
The white is for purity, in both thought and deed,
A rule of conduct we all might heed.
The blue is for justice, for all not one
A tenet we fought for and so dearly won.
The stars are a symbol of God’s guiding hand
Over the Union in this mighty land.
There isn’t a one our flag won’t protect,
Don’t you think we could show it a greater respect?

“I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death”
Patrick Henry
March 23, 1775

Resources:
usflag.org
ourmidland.com
infoplease.com
Veterans Administration
Steve Bowers

Tags: America, Politics //