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To Saturday’s self-appointed flag conduct enforcers: I love my flag. I hope that others will love it too. I hope they choose to honor it. An excellent way to honor the flag is to “stand at attention” with the right hand over the heart “at the moment the flag passes” in a parade (United States Flag Code). Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of expected conduct towards their flag. Others don’t even care. This raises the question: What should our conduct be to those whose conduct towards the flag is less than ideal?
Last night I saw you yelling at the people who didn’t immediately stand. You hollered in their faces without hesitation. Your tone wasn’t remonstrative, it was hateful. Your shrieking distracted my attention from the flag to your own distorted visage. Even my wheelchair bound neighbor was harangued. (I assume in your haste you didn’t notice the chair?). I ask: will your behavior likely increase the respect and honor these spectators feel for and show to the flag? Unlikely.
If you are a parent, teach your children how you feel about the flag by word and deed. If you have the opportunity to teach other people’s children, tell them about the flag code and why it is important to you. If your group would like to issue a gentle general reminder that the flag is coming and then review expected conduct, that could be helpful. Your example and a whispered reminder to your neighbor might also be helpful. I know one thing: hatred and coercion won’t be. Honor isn’t birthed from that cradle.
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2 Responses to “The Flag”
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It always perplexes me when people are more concerned with propriety than compassion. I mean, I love the flag, but it doesn’t have feelings.
I try to do this every year with my class. I also try to teach them what the National Anthem is really all about. I’m amazed just how many of them simply have no idea.
BTW, I came here via cjane.