Each weekday morning and afternoon I drive passed this flag
(see above picture); it is nailed up to a tree in someone’s front yard. The first time I saw it I assumed the flag
had fallen over and surely the owner of the property would fix it soon. A few days later, I noticed the flag was
still upside down and there was an older woman tending her flowers; so I rolled
down my window and said “Ma’am, did you know your flag is upside down?” She answered expressionless and with a quick,
“Yes.” And returned to what she was
doing. I was FURIOUS. I wanted to jump out of the car and give her
a piece of my mind. But since I was new to the area and many Kentuckians own
guns (we’re heathens who go around shooting each other…oops that’s another
post) I figured I better contain myself and keep driving. Those who know me well know this is one of my
greatest challenges in life. I get very
passionate about things, which sometimes causes me to get “hot headed”. Thankfully God has used my children to teach
me in this area. Plus, I could hear
Chach/Gunny in the back of my head saying…no nagging “it’s her right Jennifer”. I hate it when spouses are right.
When I drive down the the road and this flag comes into view,
I can’t help but think about her disregard toward both of my grandfather who
fought in WWII. I think of Dan Laguna,
author and retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 USA , who watched his biological
brother’s helicopter shot down during a battle in Baghdad on January 23, 2007. I can’t help but wonder about young men and
women who live their lives every day carrying the burden of what they did or
saw in a battle; all in the name of our beautiful county and especially for
what the flag stands for. Empathy for
each of them overtakes my heart and brings me to tears, because of this lack of
gratitude she is expressing toward each individual of our armed forces when she
showcases the flag upside down.
I read a blog last night about Navy Seal Jonas Kelsall, he was
killed in action in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. This morning I could not contain myself any
longer. Don’t worry I didn’t beat up an
older woman or tear her flag down. With
tears in my eyes, I boldly stepped out of my car and shot a few pictures of the
flag (well not too boldly…I was hoping she wouldn’t step out with a
shotgun). I figured if she has the
right to hang the flag upside down then I have the right to photograph it and grumble
about it. Only I will do it respectfully.
I understand it her right to hang the flag upside down as a
protest against political decisions or discontent toward our government, but I
can think of many more meaningful and effective ways to protest without defacing
our flag and what it stands for. Write. Talk.
Vote.
The flag is a symbol of our liberty and our freedoms. The
flag is a symbol of hope and courage. The
Marines, who fought on the volcanic island of Iwo Jima during WWI, stormed the beach’s
black sands and bravely fought for each of their footsteps up Mount Suribachi. Over 3,200 American service members were
killed or wounded in the battle of Iwo Jima.
Some Marines, who survived the gruesome battle, have said that seeing
the American flag soaring on top of Suribachi gave them the determination to
continue charging and fighting for the island.
For me, when I see the flag, I see all the men and women who
have served our country not for the government but for what it stands for. I see
all the families who have sacrificed their loved ones and carry their sorrow
daily. Can we not have one sacred thing
in this country? Can you not find
another way to protest without disrespecting those who gave it all?
I don’t discourage people from voicing their opinions. Trust me; I’m a firm believer of
confrontation. But PLEASE, out of
respect to our service members and their families honor our Stars and Stripes! Honor those who gave their lives for YOU.
Okay, I’ll step off the soap box now. :)
Respectfully.
--The ThaiMex Kentuckian
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