by Susan Morton

Created on: November 19, 2008

My father was a UDT in the Korean war, so that some people have changed that name to Navy Seal. We as a family were raised to be proud of the American Flag. Having had grown up in the last of the Hippie Generation, and in the early 1970's disco era that pride was fading slowly away. Becoming a young woman in those eras caused a somewhat disassociation with the American Patriotism of the American Flag. I can honestly remember being angry when other students in my class wore the American Flag patched to their rear ends.

When I became an adult, later on in college-September 9/11 happened. I was at college at that time, and my two kids were going to high school at that time. I could not help but think while seeing this happen to the twin towers that it was not real, and therefore must be a nightmare. I left and went straight home. At that moment my daughter who is five foot seven, walked through the door with a Life sized American Flag wrapped around her. I could not help but think, she looked like lady liberty.

I was so proud, to see that the American Flag meant that much to her. Looking back, I know I raised my children with a military discipline that I had been raised with. I also though, did not force religion or politics on my children. I wanted them to have more of a choice in their belief system. So there was Lady Liberty walking through my front door, in the form of my daughter. Tears came to my eyes, and I never knew that my son would later join the war, this never crossed my mind.

I don't know if I would have despised the Flag at that time if my son ran out and joined the war right then. Most of my family on both sides maternal and paternal have served in the military in one war or another. I did not raise my children to be in the military, simply because- I could see what war does to an individual if they survive it.

Later in my life, my son called me to tell me that he had joined the Army. I was afraid for him, angry at the war, and went through a variety of emotions. I did every thing I could to talk him out of it. When I went with his wife to see his graduation from boot-camp, they raised the American Flag, and my heart swelled with love and pride.

All these years later, after loosing an Uncle after the Vietnam War to mental illness and alcohol, the American Flag had the ability to touch my heart again. Was it conditioning that the school system put me through? Saying the pledge of allegiance everyday before class? Or was it being told stories from my family members who had served with pride that caused this reaction?

I will never really know, all I really know is this, I am proud to be an American. That flag waves for you and me. I will always be proud of my ancestors who have lived and died for it. Now my son is at war in Afghanistan. I will say this, I am proud of my son for stepping up to a job so few want to do. As long as that Flag proudly waves over our nation, we are alive and well.

I keep thinking back to the day my daughter walked through that door standing tall and beautiful. Lady Liberty indeed, the American Flag that moves the hearts of my family, will go on to move many others coming to our shores. It now makes no difference whether I approve of the war anymore, and I really don't want my son there. I know there are other parents thinking the same thing. I know though what my son and the flag now stands for ever more. Long may our American Flag wave, the red, the white and the blue. Stars and stripes, oh yes forever she protects me and you.

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