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On June 14, 2008, at I-75 and Highway 92, the Confederate Flag was proudly flown on Flag Day, to cheers and applause from a diverse audience.

America is the home of the brave and the free. There are symbolic images everywhere in America. And the Confederate Flag is a symbol of the Deep South. The image of sweet tea, verandas and fried chicken is associated with the Deep South. But when we use a flag as a symbol, it usually has very strong connections. And it sometimes brings controversy. If we were to travel to New York, we'd see many nations flying their flags proudly at the United Nations. Could we possibly deny AMERICANS the right to proudly fly their own symbol of life in America?

Now, the most touching symbol of an America flag being waved is the Marine Corps War Memorial, with soldiers digging the flag into the dirt. This memorial is dedicated to all Marines who gave their lives in defense of their country. This American flag was being dug into the dirt in Iwo Jima, far from American shores. When that flag was planted, the conflict was far from being over. And three of the men digging that American flag deep into the soil on that mountain were killed later in the battle. Whoever said war is hell made quite a profound statement. Any conflict is going to have it's harsh facts and sad reminders associated with it.

Another recent symbolic image that we all felt such a tender moment viewing was the firemen digging the American flag proudly into the rubble at the base of the World Trade Center. There wasn't a dry eye in any home as that symbol became a bold statement. The statement was loud and clear: "We will defend and rescue our fellow citizens proudly!" And several months later, Americans marched off to war in Iraq. There is quite a controversy over that conflict. But, our flag still flys proudly on many American front lawns, and in many businesses from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

So, why there is any controversy over proud Southern Americans having their own symbol is beyond me. Any nation, any town, any citizen has the right in America to proudly boast their heritage. During World War II, many Southern soldiers proudly took their Confederate flag into battle. There was no division in their mission. They took what America meant to them personally, and they took their symbol into battle with them to defend their country. What we hold in our hands, we hold in our hearts. And in their hearts, they realized they were overseas defending their mothers, sisters,

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