by Phil Hylton

Created on: June 21, 2008

Do we take our American Flag and Patriotism too lightly these days ? We do if we refuse to honor the flag under which so many have given their lives so that some can just stand there with their baseball caps turned around, barely enduring it's passing by ! We do if we not only refuse to sing our National Anthem in public places but disrupt those who do ! We do when we use the flag in ways that show dishonor and disrespect ! No matter what a new generation may think, the American Experience deserves great respect ! The Flag and the National Anthem are not 'out of style', and it is not too much to ask for us to honor the memory of those who have gone before us by respecting the presence of the American Flag and the National Anthem when they are presented.

On special days, we honor our nation by remembering some of the battles of yesteryear that proved that our 'flag was still there'. We see the discipline of those who carry the Flag and their acceptance of the Rules by which it is displayed. We see great examples of Patriotism as we watch those Flag bearers present our nation's colors to us in public places. We can only imagine what it must have been like to see "Old Glory" raised on the battlefield. When those Marines lifted up our Flag atop that hill on Iwo Jima, they set a standard that should be embraced by all of us. We Salute You, Old Glory ! Wave On !

We are among the American families who have experienced the loss of a loved one in combat, as our Son and Brother was taken from us during a battle in Italy in 1944. He had just been promoted to Sergeant and was leading his men in battle when he lost his life defending not only our country, but his men as well. After the war, one of his buddies who had been near him when it happened, paid a visit to our family to assure us of our Son and Brother's courage in battle. Even though the War Department sent a sealed casket to our town for burial, this friend assured us that he had seen our Son and Brother die in battle, even though the casket could not be opened. As the years have gone by, we have been grateful that our family did not insist on an open casket, but were content in knowing that our Son and Brother had indeed given his live in an honorable way.

On that day when the military funeral was held for our Son and Brother, our family had a renewed respect for that American Flag, as it was taken off the casket, folded up and given to the parents. And when "Taps" was played at the end of the ceremony, our family clutched that Flag ever closer, realized the magnitude of what our Son and Brother had done for the honor of his family and his country. Today may we honor those who are still honoring us with their dedication to keeping our great land the Home of the Brave and the Free !

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