American Flag
When I think of the flag of the United States of America I think of pride and respect. My earliest memories at school was being taught the pledge of Allegiance to the flag of America. It was important to know which day the flag flew at full mast and when it was flown at half mast. There were many messages in the flag. Like allegiance, reverence and loyalty. We learned that the flag should not be laid on the floor and there was a correct way in handling and folding the flag.
Growing up in Williamsburg, N.Y., my neighbors were all European immigrants. Most were Jewish survivors of the death camps of WWII. They knew little English and kept to themselves. American holidays were not celebrated as they had no idea of national holidays. They were still recuperating from their tragic and painful European experience.
However, one holiday that did ring a bell was the 4th of July. My friends would speak about their good mazal 'luck' in being in a free country. They may have not known the President's name or how the congress worked but they knew that being free in America was the most cherished gift a person could possess. Little American flags would mysteriously appear.
I had a friend that possessed a WWII flag that his father, a survivor of the Auchwitz death camp, had kept. He had received it from an American G.I. during the liberation of the camp. It was his most cherished possession.
The flag was found in almost every Jewish house of worship. It would be displayed next to the Ark containing the Torah, the holy scroll. The message was to revere the flag and respect your country.
My favorite picture was the WWII embattled American Marines placing the flag on Iwo Jima. Recently the supporters of the flag have submitted a request to congress. It calls for a constitution amendment to safeguard the flag. The amendment bans the desecration of the flag. The House has passed the amendment. A full vote will be made in the fall. Much debate is taking place on this issue. The amendment issue makes me question our society.
What is so disturbing to me is not whether we will pass the constitutional amendment. What is disturbing is the need to debate it. We should always respect our noble flag. It is the national thing for an American to do.
How did we ever come to this shameful level?
Recently Supreme Court decisions have struck down flag protection laws in the 48 states and the anti-desecration laws passed by Congress. This is just awful. If the Congress, Supreme Court and government can't figure things out then we have got big problems.
It's time for Americans to remember time honored values. Indeed, it is important to preserve the very nature of the constitution. But remember, we are to use the great rights to freedom of our country and not abuse them. Nothing can be worse than using our rights to destroy and make a mockery of our hard earned flag.
In school we were told of Betsy Ross. How, in 1776, she designed the first stars and stripes flag depicting the 13 states. Since then it has been the symbol of freedom.
When Patrick Henry said "Give me liberty or give me death" he never dreamed that this motto would be used as an excuse to desecrate the flag.
In 1814 the British fleet attacked Fort McHenry. Francis Scott Key saw the American flag flying definitely over Fort McHenry. He was moved to write the Star Spangled Banner. In an Act by Congress, March 3, 1931, the song became the official National Anthem. It ends with "Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In G‑d is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
During the 4th of July celebrations my family and I will give respect to our great country by attending a service.
It will give me great pride to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
That is the least I can do for our great country. Maybe you can include that in your 4th of July celebration.