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I wasn’t there on that July day in 1776 when those brave Patriots signed the Declaration of Independence, thereby creating the United States of America. So why do I fly the flag on July 4^th every year?

I wasn’t there on Iwo Jima when those battered and brave Americans raised the American Flag over that beaten and battered island. Why do I fly the flag for them?

I wasn’t in New York on September 11, 2001 when those terrorists flew hijacked jets into our World Trade Center towers and killed 2700 innocent Americans, tourists and foreign visitors from over 90 countries. Why do I fly the flag for the victims?

I wasn’t at the Pentagon when another plane flew into that symbol of America and killed 184 innocent Americans. Why do I fly the flag for those victims?

I wasn’t in that field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania when the heroes of United 93 re-took control of that jetliner and sacrificed their own lives to save the Capitol building. Why do I fly the flag and say “Let’s roll”?

Why do I stand at the ballgame with my hand over my heart when the Stars and Stripes is proudly displayed for the National Anthem?

As millions of others who grew up in the late 60s and early 70s, I was raised with a flag in every classroom and the Pledge of Allegiance recited before school commenced. There was no controversy about the phrase “Under God”. We learned about American History with dates and events. Is that why I fly the flag today?

I watched as Vietnam protestors burned flags and dragged them along the ground and urinated on them. I saw the desecration of our National Symbol. Could that be the reason I fly the flag today?

We have a Presidential candidate who spent time recently defining Patriotism. Can Patriotism be the reason I fly the flag?

The answer is no and yes.

Patriotism cannot be measured or defined by anyone because it means something different to everyone. Patriotism comes not from the head, but from the heart. Patriotism is what drives people to serve in the Armed Forces, especially after the 9/11 attacks. It created a firestorm of new enlistees heading for foreign lands with revenge and justice in tow. Patriotism is what causes people to stand when the flag is near.

Is Patriotism tied to the flag? To me, there is Patriotism in the flag. Do I fly the flag because of Patriotism? No. My Patriotism is expressed by my rooting for our American athletes at the Olympics. I fly the flag because my country is near and dear to my heart. In that place reserved for my beloved wife and my wonderful children. And my country.

I fly the flag because it is an important symbol of who we are as Americans. I fly the flag because of the millions who have died defending the flag. And the millions who hate the symbol of America enough to attack us on our own soil. Whether it was Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany or radical Islam, America’s enemies have been tenacious and persistent. But, the common thread there was that in every case, the American flag stood as the focal point of their hatred. How could it not be the symbol that we stand behind, stand beside and stand for?

When I see an American burning a flag, I am repulsed. And when I hear a politician defend burning the American flag, I take action and call or email them to protest that act.

The flag is much more than a symbol of America. It far exceeds the fabric that constructs it. It is the standard for Americans, beloved by the children of America and hated by her enemies. It is the focus of American wannabes from foreign places because they know under the protection of the flag lays freedom and opportunity, life and liberty. The likes of which are unavailable anywhere else in the world.

I fly the flag because I am an unashamed American citizen, born here and I will stay here, gladly by choice. So, why do I fly the flag? Because I can.

-American citizen

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