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Volume 41, Issue 1
August 25, 2003
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August 25, 2003
Old Glory not quite tattered
Dennis Mikulich
Photo Editor
As a photographer my eyes are always searching for things that look out
of place or interesting.
Sometimes things I come across are ironic and sometimes they are tragic.
The more your eyes are open the more you notice. One day I noticed that
the flag that flies in front of the main office was not only tattered
but was actually split, leaving an image in my head representing all the
things that are wrong in our lives today.
True that something as simple as retiring an old worn flag does take some
energy, but there are actual laws that pertain to the correct manner by
which this is to be done.
This creates a problem I guess because after bringing the old flag to
the attention of more than a few departments, it was still flying five
days later.
Any former Cub Scout can tell you that the process of lowering a flag
is not a hefty task. So what was the big problem?
When you grow up in the United States, the majority of school children
are accustomed to pledging allegiance to a flag.
That flag has been raised over this country since its founding. It has
changed its appearance throughout history to keep up with the changes
of the country it represents.
This country of ours has seen its share of adversity, but in the face
of many challenges, it and the flag have always stood proud.
What exactly is it about the stars and stripes that makes it such a symbol
in our modern world?
Maybe it’s the fact that so many men and women have died upholding
the values and honor of our flag. Or maybe it could be the fact that no
other flag has been burned in protest more than Old Glory.
From either side of the spectrum you would expect many varied opinions
on the above question. Some stand by the fact that the American flag represents
democracy, freedom, and the American way. Still others would want you
to believe that our flag represents tyranny, oppression and pure unadulterated
evil.
It is very hard for this editor to accept the latter opinion. However,
the division between these two views is a very interesting paradox.
To any proud American the flag represents pride.
To any soldier living or deceased the flag represents your honor and sacrifice.
To the immigrants that have never stopped coming to our shores the flag
represents freedom and salvation.
To schoolchildren the flag represents their country’s heritage and
history.
There is no other flag in this world that represent so much. Even though
our country is young; its history is filled with courage, bravery, sacrifice,
and honor.
That is what the American flag stands for, that is why we raise it in
the morning and take it down at sunset. That is why the soldier salutes
it, and raises it triumphantly on the battlefield. That is the reason
why veterans shed a tear when they gaze upon it.
That is why this was written, because it represents so much to so many
people. The flag has its own spirit, one that has touched so many hearts
and souls. And every American has a little piece of what that flag represents
inside themselves. Even those who dare to burn our flag are representing
what it stands for, freedom. So take care of and show pride in your flag.
Do it the honor that it deserves and protect it like it has protected
you.
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