Over the last two years burning theAmerican flag during a protest has become the norm. Protestors have burned theflag to show disapproval of President-Elect Donald Trump, to bring attention tothe recent police involved shootings, for race equality, to fight oppression, and to show supremacy of the People over the Government. It is ourconstitutional right to the freedom of speech guaranteed by the FirstAmendment, however the American Flag is so much more than just a piece of clothto many Americans. “ The white stripes signify purity and innocence, the redsignifies valor and hardiness, while the blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice” (Flag Cases, 2002). There is a saying we use in theArmy; “ The flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. Our flag fliesfrom the last breath of each military member who has died protecting it.” “ I often think of how ourflag grew into what it is today. It is so much more than a decoration. Think ofthe areas around the world that our flag has flown. Think of the transformationthe flag has underwent throughout the decades on our own shores. It is trulyhumbling to think of all that was given and sacrificed so that our flag can flyfreely across this nation.” (Streufert, 2005).
President-Elect Trumps Views
On November29, 2016, President-Elect Donald Trump posted “ Nobody should be allowed toburn the American flag – if they do, there must be consequences – perhaps lossof citizenship or jail!” (Levy, 2016). Thisstatement has caused a lot controversy and a lot of political debates. Somebelieve it is a justifiable expression of free speech, while others believe itis an anti-American act. Burning the American flag doesn’t show distastetowards the government, instead it shows resentment of the nation as a whole.
“ In many other nations, burning the flag in protest is illegal. In some nations, such as Norway, Austria, and Germany have strict penalties on this form of flag burning. In an attempt to stop protest flag burning as a whole, Norway and Austria have also placed penalties on burning the flags of other nations as well. Other nations like Egypt and Turkey have allowed flag burning when it comes to enemy nations flags” (Lengling, 2016). “ There are two types of flag burning, one in protest and the other in respect. Protest flag burning is condemned by most countries, and arguably does not fit into freedom of speech. Flag burning done out of respect however is in keeping with the best traditions of the United States Military. This sort of flag burning deserves a place alongside other traditions such as not letting a flag fall to the ground, flying flags where they never dip towards anything, and of course pledging allegiance to the flag. These traditions show that America, after 238 years, is as strong as it ever was, and that the flag still waves in glory.” (Flag Cases, 2002).
First Amendment Rights
The First Amendment states “ Congressshall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting thefree exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; orthe right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Governmentfor a redress of grievances” (Bomboy, 2016). In 1989 Texas tried to pass ananti-flag burning law due to Gregory Lee Johnson who was protesting thepresidential candidates Ronald Regan and Walter Mondale. The Flag ProtectionAct of 1989 made “ it unlawfulto maintain a U. S. flag on the floor or ground or to physically defile suchflag…” (Bomboy, 2016). When thecase went to court, the jury ruled in favor of Johnson. They argued thatJohnson’s actions, though upsetting to most, was an expression of symbolicspeech political in nature. The last time an anti-flag burning law went toCongress was in 2006 where it failed by just one vote. “ Trough it is legal to protest by burning theAmerican Flag, there is flag etiquette stating that if and when a flag is soworn that it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should bedestroyed by burning in a dignified manner” (Streufert, 2005).
“ The flag burningservice begins with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the reading of thepoem “ I Am Old Glory”. Whichrecounts all of the fateful moments and victories the American flag haswitnessed. A moment of silence is usually next, as the crowd quietly considersthe solemnity of the moment. Then the field of blue stars is carefully cut outof the flag, and placed in the fire. As the red andwhite stripes are added to the fire the color guard shouts ‘ Our flag rests inPeace!’ As the ceremony comes to an end the military band plays Stars andStripes Forever. This flag burning service combines solemnity with thejoy and pride of being an American. While viewers of the ceremony can’t helpbut feel a little sad over the retirement of a flag, they take comfort in the flagsmessage, and the nation that it represents will live on” (Flag Cases, 2002).
I am stronglyopposed to the legality of flag burning. America’s flag is a symbol of itsgreatness, democracy and freedom. Burning the flag demeans these values thatare symbols of the country. The flag should be respected as such. Burning ordesecrating the flag in any way should be considered an offense to freedom anddemocracy and should be considered acrime. There are other ways to voice your political opinion that doesn’tinvolve burning the symbol of the nation. I feel that it is not only disrespectful toour country, but it is also disrespectful to the people who have died fightingfor what the flag stands for. The American flag is draped over the casket oraccompanies the urn of deceased veterans, police officers, and firefighters. The military life is what Ihave always known. When I look at the American flag I see service to our nationand the nations of the world as our family’s way of life.
A clear distinction shouldto be made between this form of flag burning, and the respectful way that theUnited States Military uses. “ Flag burning protestors insist that they haverespect for the principles covered in the United States Constitution, butchoose to burn the American flag to symbolize the ways that they believe thatAmerica has drifted from its original path. Opponents of this form of flagburning argue that this is counterproductive, and is really working againstAmerica itself” (Flag Cases, 2002).
The Faces I See. When I look at the American Flag I see the faces of service memberswho gave the ultimate sacrifice. I see the faces that didn’t make it home totheir families and friends. I see the faces that willingly gave their lastbreath for the freedom of Americans and their rights to free speech. I see SPC Justin K. Adams who passed away November22, 2013, just one week before he was scheduled to fly home to surprise his fiancéand their three-week old baby girl that he was going to meet for the firsttime. SPC Adams was only 21 when he passed away. I had the pleasure of startingmy military career with SPC Adams. From basic training at Fort Jackson to ourfirst duty stations in South Korea, Adams had a huge impact on a lot of lives. His selfless service is what drives me to be a better soldier and a betterperson. That is the face I see when I look at the American Flag. A soldier, afiancé, a father, and a friend.” Ourflag is the symbol of the things we as Americans hold in our hearts and minds. The power to guard and protect loved ones, homes, beliefs, and Americans ingeneral; even if deserving or not” (Streufert, 2005). The Stars and Stripesmean that this is the United States of America. Having the privilege to servethis country in the US Army gave me the opportunity to show the love I have forthis country, and the pride we have in defending it.
Can you imagine thefeelings that the Marines had placing the flag upon Iwo Jima so many years ago? Or the feelings the fireman felt hosting the flag at Ground Zero? What aboutall of the countless times people have viewed the flag during conflicted timesand it provided a sense of hope when all hope seemed lost? To burn the flag wouldbe a disgrace to all of those who have fought for and protected our countrythroughout the years. Our flag is an honorable symbol that has been shot at, burned, spit upon and stomped on, and yet it rises time and time again. Let usall, as Americans, hold the respect that is due, not only to our flag but toall of those who have given their lives and time defending it.
In conclusion, burning the American flagmay be a Constitutional right, but anyone that has the rights of theConstitution should respect their nation and everything the American flagstands for. Too many men and women have given their lives protecting thoserights and Americans should respect that. We should come together as a nationand protest peacefully instead of violently. There are a number of different ways thatyou can express dissatisfaction with issues, one of which is peaceful protesting. A peaceful protest is the act ofexpressing disapproval through a statement or action without the use ofviolence. I stand behind President-Elect Trump and support taking action topass a Flag Protection Act to ban any and all burnings of the American flagunless done so in a dignified manner. The American Flag means home to me, and protecting our flag means protecting my home. May Godbless America and those who defend it. Waltrup, 2016
References
- Bomboy, S. (2016, November 30). Flag burning and the First Amendment: Yet another look at the two. Retrieved December 10, 2016, fromhttp://blog. constitutioncenter. org/2016/11/flag-burning-and-the-first-amendment-yet-another-look-at-the-two/
- Flag Burning. (2002). Retrieved December 11, 2016, fromhttp://www. flagcases. net/Flag-Burning-information
- Lengling, K. (2016, September 6). What does the American Flag mean to you? Retrieved December 11, 2016, fromhttps://www. usmilitary. com/32581/what-does-the-american-flag-mean-to-you/
- Levy, G. (2016, November 29). Trump Calls for Consequences for Burning American Flag. Retrieved December 10, 2016, fromhttp://www. usnews. com/news/politics/articles/2016
- Streufert, D. (2005, February 10). USFlag. org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States of America – Flag Etiquette. Retrieved December 10, 2016, fromhttp://www. usflag. org/flagetiquette. html