Why I Honor the American Flag

By: Annie Bucher

        When you were little, people may have asked you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Maybe you had responded with a teacher or veterinarian. But you may have answered you wanted to fight in the war. As you grow up that idea may have passed right through your head. The people who stuck with that answer until they stand on the battlefield, with a gun in hand and risking their lives for people like me, is a hero. Even if you had decided you wanted to fight at a younger or older age, you are still a hero. This is why I honor the American Flag.

        Who do we honor the flag for you may ask? We honor the red, white and blue flag for the fallen and living soldiers. These mothers, daughters, fathers, and sons have risked everything for average people like you and me. These men and women are the definitions of heroes. “ It doesn't matter whether you're black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you're willing to try.” (Barack Obama. These are the people that the veterans fight for each and every day. This is why I honor the American flag.

        The American Flag, with 13 red and white stripes, represents the colonies, the 50 white stars represent the 50 states of the union. Red represents hardiness and valor, white represents purity and innocence while the blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. We honor this flag because when veterans arrive home they may feel alone and scared. But, when they know that over millions of people salute that flag it makes them feel like they matter. ALL people who served in the war, no matter if you fought or not. You have a spot in my heart. This is why I honor the American Flag.

        I stand every day, right hand over my heart as I say the 31-word pledge and I stare at the flag and think about those who have lost their lives and those who are still living here today. You may have lost the only thing important to you. But what you have to remember is they fought for your freedom and existence. And that is why I honor the American Flag.

References

(n.d.). Retrieved from

https://study.com/academy/answer/how-many-words-are-in-the-pledge-of-allegia
nce.html

Cook, J. H. (2017, September 29). 5 reasons we stand for the flag. Retrieved from

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/353087-5-reasons-we-stand-for-the-flag

Full text: Obama's re-election speech. (2012, November 07). Retrieved from

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-20236369

History of the American Flag. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/old-glory/

What is a Veteran? The Legal Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://va.org/what-is-a-veteran-the-legal-definition/