Our nation’s flag is a symbol worthy of respect

To the editor:

Twice during this past week I saw our nation’s flag touch the floor. Once was in Palmer, the second time in Wasilla.

I am sure it was not intentional. As soon as I mentioned this to each of the business owners they moved their flags. Both flags were on a short pole, but neither flag was being displayed. They were simply stuck in a corner out of the way, in both cases with the bottom of the flag touching the floor. Perhaps these two flags had been proudly displayed for Veterans Day and for some reason were no longer so proudly displayed only a few days later.

On June 22, 1942, Congress passed a joint resolution that was amended on Dec. 22, 1942, to become Public Law 829; Chapter 806, 77th Congress, 2nd session. Exact rules for use and display of the flag (36 U.S.C. 173-178) as well as associated sections (36 U.S.C. 171) outlining conduct during playing of the “National Anthem,” (36 U.S.C. 172) the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag and manner of delivery were included. This law is now more commonly referred to as the Flag Code.

According to Flag Code, when the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag, it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously. To learn more about the Flag Code and proper flag etiquette, visit usflag.org.

This flag of ours is a symbol of all that we believe in, the very essence of what America is. If you want to see how powerful a symbol this flag is, observe veterans during the singing of the “National Anthem” on Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Chances are good the veterans will be standing tall and proud, with their right hands placed over their hearts, their eyes fixed on that flag. Chances are good the veterans’ eyes may be misty, or they might be swallowing repeatedly to quell the lumps of pride and emotion in their throats.

When I see our flag lit up at night or waving in the breeze, I feel pride and I feel humility. In spite of all that is wrong in and with our country today, our flag still represents a nation founded on good and honorable values and principles. The flag is a symbol worthy to drape the caskets of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who served in our military and have sacrificed so much to defend the principles and the freedom you and I enjoy. Our flag is not something to hang up on a national holiday. Our flag deserves to be displayed prominently and treated with respect.

Please consider the words of our “Pledge of Allegiance.” Read the words out loud, rather than reciting them with the cadence we learned in elementary school: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Now, please say the following out loud: “I (insert your name) pledge my allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands.”

What if every American felt something each time they looked at our flag or said the “Pledge of Allegiance?” What if that feeling is American pride, or at least the dream of American pride? What if our apathy dies and American pride lives again? What if by treating our flag with respect, we learn to treat each other with respect? What if?

Vicki Kluever

Palmer