The American Flag
To the Editor:
The flag of the United States of America changes as we grow, as with each new state there is an added star. In its own way, we have the stars in 'The Star Spangled Banner'. Then, Katherine Lee Bates gave us, 'America the Beautiful'. We are the ones that make it the special 'Pledge of Allegiance'.
We celebrate the flag by placing it where it can fly high and proudly such as it does on the moon. It serves as a Beacon of Bravery on the tiny island in the Pacific, Iwo Jima, where in 30 days, 25% of all the Marines killed in the entire Pacific action died. Then, on February 23, 1945, U.S. Marines raised a flag atop Mount Suribachi. Two flags were flown that day. The first was an American flag that a Marine carried on his person. Once that flag was seen by those on the flag ship, a larger flag was taken to replace the smaller one.
While the second flag was being raised, photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the moment by taking the picture which has now become one of the most famous war photos in history and is now seen circulating around the world. None of the Marines left their names, it wasn't for their glory, it was a Marine thing. Eventually the surviving Marines were sent back to the United States to participate in war bond tours, accounting for $26 billion raised in just six weeks.
We as a nation love and respect our flag, only there seems to be two levels of care. The first level of care was that of the Marine that cared for the flag. The second level was of those put in the position of protecting the flag from those who choose to disrespect the flag of the United States of America.
Most people might find that flying the U.S. flag for 60 days, resulting from a workplace affair to be nothing more than that of a cheap drama that those that seek our votes should not permit. There are regulations on how to display our flag, but nothing but only love to protect her. This is only by love.
Michael Coultas Canton, IL
