Old Glory Deserves Our Respect

Old Glory Deserves Our Respect
by Donna Teresa

Every once in awhile you come across a special book. One of those books — “Flags of Our Fathers,” by James Bradley — made it onto my summer reading list.

It is the story of the five Marines and a Navy corpsman who were immortalized when they raised the American flag together on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima, Japan. The Battle of Iwo Jima was one of the bloodiest and most costly in World War II.

Of the the six flag raisers, three would later perish in the war before they could know how symbolic their flag-raising would be to our nation. In World War II, approximately 353 Medal of Honor awards were given; of those, 27 were given to men who fought in Iwo Jima.

That historic moment on Feb. 23, 1945, was captured on film and has since become one of the most famous photographs in American history…

Why did a photograph of six soldiers hoisting an American flag mean so much? The answer is simple. The American flag has been a symbol of freedom, hope and patriotism. Like most Americans in uniform, they were not looking for accolades, fame or fortune. They just did the job they were asked to do.

If you have ever traveled outside the United States, the first thing you notice when your plane lands on your return flight home is the American flag flying on top of a building. You know you are home. Just hearing the Star-Spangled Banner played at an event encourages feelings of American pride.

The flag has suffered with us in times of great tragedy and shared our triumphs in moments of glory. It has been a silent friend to us all, in peace and at war.

Patriotic holidays like the Fourth of July always get me sentimental, because it is a reminder to all Americans that battles do not end without paying the price in human life. Our history is important and should always be remembered.

The story of “Flags of Our Fathers” will be coming to the movie screen later this summer, directed by Clint Eastwood. It pays homage to Harlon Block, Frank Sousley, Ira Hayes, Mike Strank, Rene Gagnon and John Bradley, the six flag raisers.

In addition, it brings honor to the unknown soldiers who we never read about in history books, but fought with courage and heroism. Many deserved medals, but for whatever reason, their stories were never recorded or have been forgotten.

Every day, a mother or father sends their son or daughter off to war with the uncertain future of their child’s fate. Behind every patriot serving in uniform is a patriot mom and dad.

This reminds me of a quote by Hamilton Fish: “If our country is worth dying for in time of war, let us resolve, that it is truly worth living for in time of peace.”

That is why the American flag must be respected. We have Americans willing to die for this country, can we not respect them by honoring our flag?

I recommend you read this book and see the movie. If you are not familiar with the story, you should be.

Every time you hang your flag outside your house, or raise it on a flag pole, think of those six flag raisers, and you’ll understand why our flag is very important.

It has never abandoned us during the difficult times and we should never abandon it.