USFlag

The Moonduster Chronicles The Official Newsletter of Operation Just Cause

Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes

"Why Would Someone Burn The United States Flag?"
Written by Barb Fitzgerald-Malone

*Animated US Flag Courtesy of: Riad Dagher

Disclaimer from the Editor: This does not essentially represent the views of OJC. Nor does it necessarily reflect the opinions of the Operation Just Cause Staff or its members as a whole.

All of this talk about the Flag Desecration Amendment has made me want to say a few words on the subject myself. It makes no sense to me that it should be okay to destroy a symbol of the United States Government and what it stands for. The following is taken from a kids' website that teaches all about American Freedom and the Symbols used to represent that freedom. This is what it says about the American Flag:

*The Colors of the American Flag signify:

White: Purity and Innocence
Red: Hardiness and Valor
Blue: Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice

The Stars are considered a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial.

The Stripes are symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.

* Info taken from Symbols of U.S. Government: The Flag

I would like someone to explain to me what "Freedom of Speech" has to do with destroying honor, valor, purity, and innocence. What does our right to 'having an opinion and stating it' have to do with having total disregard and disrespect for the symbols that represent the heavens and the sun.To me, when people burn the flag that is what it feels like they are doing.

It goes to show you what kind of times we are living in. These things mean nothing to those who choose to allow people to burn the flag. They are telling us it is our right to do so. It is almost as though they are not only giving us permission, but also encouraging us to do it. Ask a veteran who fought in one of our country's wars what they think of obliterating something that stands for what they risked their lives for.

I found a wonderful website linked from Chuck "Doc" Stewart's page. Please take a few moments to visit this site. I learned quite a few things about "Old Glory" that I never knew before.

The Flag of the United States of America

Being the parent of elementary school age children, it is disheartening to know that all you try to teach your kids about love of country and about being proud to be an American can be washed away. They find out that people can burn the American Flag to 'voice their opinion', or 'to make a statement'. Whatever happened to writing a letter to voice your concerns, or forming a peaceful rally and giving a speech to tell people what bothers you. Why burn the flag?

What do we say now, "Baseball, Mom, Apple Pie, and Burn the Flag if you feel like it"?

The following story has appeared in a number of editions of "The Moonduster Chronicles". It is a powerful story about the honor and respect one of our POW's had for the United States Flag:

"Honoring The American Flag"

Responses to Editorial

From Tim Beeck:

I like what Colin Powell had to say about flag burning: "The flag will remain great far longer than the idiots who set it ablaze." I invite you to see what Red Skelton said about the Pledge Of Allegiance

Visit Tim Beeck's Home Page! -and- Hall Of Heroes - POW-MIA's from the Viet Nam War

From Karl Kristiansen

As far as the flag burning is concerned, I see nothing wrong with it as long as THEY WRAP THEMSELVES IN IT FIRST! Vets died for the right to let these people burn the flag, the least they can do is reciprocate.

Visit Karl's Korner