EDITOR’S NOTE: The author of this essay has asked that their name be withheld in the interest of their personal safety and the safety of their family.
My wife and I were shopping for a few things on Memorial Day weekend at our local Ace Hardware store. We didn’t find what we wanted, but we did instead end up with a bird feeder and some seed along with a couple of other random things. When we checked out, they gave us a small, inexpensive American flag. We accepted it and brought it home.
A few days later, it still rests on our dining room table. I have a complicated relationship with that flag.
I don’t remember this, but my parents have told me the story many times: Back when I was little, TV stations would sign off usually around midnight. They would cease their broadcast day by playing the national anthem over a picture of the American flag along with other patriotic images. My parents said that as I would listen to that song and see the image of that flag, silent tears would run down my cheeks.
I grew up loving this country — and the flag that represents it — with all my heart and soul. My parents flew the flag proudly, and we treated it with respect.
My dad served in the United States Air Force during World War II. My Uncle “Rich” landed on the beach in Normandy and led his men across France and Belgium fighting German Nazis.
He was a career military man and retired as a full colonel. He was a hero in my eyes. His casket was wrapped in the flag.
In 2019, Sam Elliott told the story of D-Day survivor Sgt. Ray Lambert, who was seriously injured landing on the beach that day. Only seven men from his unit made it to the beach alive.
Too many men died without experiencing the opportunity we have had to live the life we dreamed of. They sacrificed their lives so that we may be free of tyranny, of fascist Nazi oppression, and cruelty.
As our country nears its 250th birthday, I’ve taken some time to reflect. I feel like our country has lost its way. Our president, Donald Trump, stands for everything that the flag stands against.
My dad and uncle fought against fascism and totalitarian leaders. Trump admires these cruel dictators. He has no regard for the truth and has cheated on his wife with a porn star and paid for her silence.
Trump has profited personally from his position as president. He had close ties to sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. He has threatened the very existence of democracy in America by inciting an insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021. Among the most disturbing images of the assault on the United States Capitol was the sight of the insurrectionists not just carrying the American flag but using the flagpole on which it flew to assault U.S. Capitol police officers.
Trump rages about what he calls “ANTIFA.” He is vehemently opposed to it.
But what is ANTIFA? It means “ANTI-FAscist.” I would think EVERY last American would consider themselves “Anti-Fascist.” More than 400,000 Americans died in World War II fighting fascism.
So how has opposition to Nazis become something reviled by our president?
Somewhere, Francis Scott Key is turning over in his grave. Donald Trump is a disgrace, a stain on American history. I hate how he has sown division not seen since the Civil War.
Trump has co-opted the flag, wrapping himself in it. That disgusts me. Many who support him wear either a “MAGA” hat or, often, clothing featuring the American flag.
While protected under the First Amendment, it violates the historical guidelines of the Flag Code. Trump has published a version of the flag with 11 stripes on a website selling his “merch”, instead of the correct 13. It doesn’t seem to matter to him. He uses it as a prop, not as a symbol of what so many have given their lives for.
Trump has had an ongoing war of words with late-night TV hosts who have been uniformly calling him out on his ridiculous, unhinged, selfish and embarrassing behavior. He’s been known to stay up into the early hours of the morning hate-tweeting against these late-night funny men.
Men secure in their power don’t spend their nights fighting with comedians.
Worse yet, he’s stolen the flag from me. Because of him, I don’t feel comfortable flying the American flag right now. I haven’t for quite some time. That beautiful symbol has been hijacked by the far right.
The Neo-Nazi crowd flies the American flag under what they call patriot nationalism. The Christian Nationalists fly the American flag alongside the Christian flag, exhibiting their belief that this country should be governed under Christian principles.
While I support freedom of religion, I also strongly support the separation clause. Historically, religiously based governments are horrifically cruel.
These groups and others like them fly the American flag to (I suppose) lend legitimacy to their beliefs. I no longer feel proud in flying the flag. What that flag means to me cannot be understood by those who shame it. There is a song by a country singer by the name of David Rovics called “I Want My Flag Back.” That pretty well sums up my feelings on the subject.
Other than this small flag, given away free by our local hardware store, I don’t own an American flag. For now, I will not fly or display the hardware store flag, and that absolutely breaks my heart. I love this country with all of my soul. I know what we can be capable of. I know what that flag truly stands for.
The Stars & Stripes flew over Ground Zero on 9/11. It flies over the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. It flies over Arlington National Cemetery. It covers the caskets of service members returning to Dover Air Force Base.
It is too precious a symbol to be permitted to stand for anything but “Liberty & Justice For All.”
I will care for this little flag. I will keep it safe and ache for the time — one day soon, I hope — that I might once again fly it with pride.