This weeks article comes out on the 4th of July. Today, I’d just like to share some thoughts about the flag and what it means.
This post might reflect some of my personal beliefs. If that offends you, I’m sorry you feel that way. I’d love to talk to you about it and hear what you believe. I don’t think that many of these beliefs are that radical though.

Unconquered

First of all, I believe that as a nation, America has remained unconquered. That is to say America is still sovereign over America. Her people are self-determining and, for the most part they, and their government, govern the land.
I believe that much of this is owed to the sacrifices made by brave men and women through the years in all of the armed, and unarmed conflicts. I can only name armed conflicts because my memory of History is imperfect. Forgive me if I miss a conflict.

The Revolutionary War gave us the right to call this land home. We’ve inherited many blessings from giants who walked before us, assuming the responsibility on their own shoulders to create this great nation. We owe them a great debt.
The Civil War tested our national morality. In it, brave men and women fought to prove one of the basic ideals of this country that “All men are created equal.” It was a great test that might have sundered the nation and fractured our Union. Through much blood and sorrow, America weathered that storm and emerged a better country.
During World War I, the world itself lost its innocence. Never before had mankind been able to destroy with such ease. Great questions about human nature were asked. Many people did not find good enough answers. Still brave men and women fought, and saw us through that “War to End all Wars.”
Only it didn’t end. The effects of that war led to World War II. If many had asked questions about human nature and had their queries unanswered, they received a partial answer during the 2nd World War. The World knew for certain that man is capable of deep depravity and hatred and wickedness. Yet still, examples of human spirit were found. Even in the deepest moments of man’s greatest darkness, brave men and women fought to bring back the light. They fought on beaches, in the snow, and sometimes even within the walls of their own mind while enduring intense persecution. They gave us a great example and they taught us that man is capable of evil, and good.

A Change Within Us

During this Indepence Day Celebration, we should think about what it means to be American.
I think, sometime in the last few decades there has been a shift. I mean the culture has begun to hate being American. We aren’t perfect, but I believe there are great reasons to be proud to be an American.
That pride carries great responsibilities, but we should be proud nontheless. Proud of what our ancestors did, and the torch they handed to us to carry forward. I believe in some ways we are letting that torch sputter and go out.

Earlier, I talked about how America has remained unconquered through the years. In recent months, there have been questions about whether or not it is ok for a different flag to fly higher than the American Flag above US soil.
My answer is no.
Until we are conquered, until we are no longer self-determining as a nation, we fly the American Flag.
When one group conquers another group, many times the first thing they do is to replace the unifying banner, the flag, with their own. They do this to claim ownership.
I believe we should affect a change within us.

I believe we should let the American Flag be the only high flying flag. We should honor those who bled and died for it to wave. Let the flag represent all the noble sacrifices etched into the stones of time, but let it also represent the great responsibility we have to carry on that noble tradition. I’m proud to be an American. Let that flag wave, high and unifying as the only flag that flies the highest.

P.S. Action Items:

Of course I wouldn’t give you a post without an action item. In fact there are three today.
1. At some point today, do the pledge of allegiance. Let’s see if you can remember it.
2. If you see someone who serves in the military, thank them for their service.
3. On a piece of paper, write down what the flag means to you and what you are going to do because of that meaning.
Share your experiences with us on social media.
Thanks for your support. Keep doing hard things. Keep overcoming average.