Red, White, and Blue: Still Lovin' You

Night Flag at BIAP, Iraq.

You know, I’m a little old-fashioned. My company proudly displays the American Flag at our offices here in Camp Stryker. Some here and in the world take offense at our flag. Often it is those who harbor hate and despise freedom and/or seek to kill. I'd say the power of its message is clear!

I love that flag. I love to drive through rural Idaho, for example, and see it posted at almost every farmhouse. (Go ahead, try the tin-cup route from Preston up to Jackson Hole, WY)

There are many of us left that like to see Old Glory in its glory! Proud to be American. Proud to know our colors stand for bravery, freedom, and sacrifice. It represents to me, like our soldiers now, those who could have had a comfortable life, those who could have remained silent and safe like our founders, but are willing to pay much, even the ultimate price, for freedom.

Sometimes only for the promise of something better for their children, sometimes to save a world at war, and sometimes even for those who would kill us for saving them. Didn’t Jesus say to love your enemies and do good to them that hate you?

The flag itself is merely a cloth. But what it symbolizes is everything: The valor of the centuries and the ONLY hope for the future of the world. Does any other country carry the vision, the passion, the love, and the power to change our world for good? If so, where are they? I would honor them as well.

But even if we are joined in noble causes, our colors carry no less luster. As a kid I did, and still do pledge Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. If those are fighting words, so be it.