I am the American Flag

I am the American flag. I am not just a flowing piece of woven material, but an embodiment of the American spirit. I am stitches made of the blood, sweat, tears and dedication of fighting forces and supporting citizens of our great country, America.

Please do not merely raise me, salute me or snap to attention when you see me flying without exercising these motions with heartfelt love for what I represent. For I represent the dead, the dying, the dedicated and the diligent. I fly alone in the reverent, silent symbolism of a grateful nation, and for a collection of people who believe in me.

Some people wave the American flag but waive what it stands for. Sometimes I stand alone without any attention paid to me whatsoever. But yet…I stand. And I stand and wave proudly.

Each of my 50 stars encompasses a gathering of citizens in the peaceful environment of the U.S.A. Each star represents the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial. In every star, be reminded that we should be looking up into the stars at night and thanking our "lucky stars" that we are still a loving, caring and prosperous nation. I believe that our fallen have touched each star as they journeyed to the Heavens to reap their glory after service to our country.

Each of my 13 stripes has been paid for by casualties of torrent wars, fierce battles and conquests of magnitudes that few can truly appreciate. The stripe itself is symbolic of the sun's emanating rays of light. The red stripes represent fearless courage, self-sacrifice and devotion. The red color also represents the blood of Americans, my friend.

The white stripes signify purity of soul and innocence and equality and liberty for us all. It signifies the spirit and the endeavor to keep our freedoms alive.

The blue background for the stars represents the color of Heaven, where many fallen heroes have entered and prevailed. It represents loyalty and faith. It also signifies perseverance, justice and vigilance. But my colors have bled numerous times.

I have been torn, burned, ripped, spit upon and denied display in some locations of our country. I have been left to hang in severe weather with my meager folds flapping in the air that we all breathe…all in the name of freedom and the American spirit. I love what I represent.

I was proud to be "seen by the dawn's early light" and to have been hailed at the "twilight's last gleaming," as the "Star Spangled Banner" was so beautifully written about me. But I am more than a "star spangled banner."

When you sing, "Oh say can you see…by the dawn's early light…" it is my prayer that you truly see me for what I am. Do not see "through" me. See "in" me the visions of the ongoing perilous fights. See "in" me the promise of our country's future; the promise of our undying patriotism and spirit. See the sacrifices and the surrounding abounding glories that our country has provided for us. See God's hand in the creation of our land and liberties.

Please honor me as a symbol of magnificent sacrifice, respect, belief in our country and its forefathers.

When you gaze upon me, do not be afraid to show your tears, or your prideful salutes and your own grateful admiration. I represent you, America. I am as old as our nation. Please do not ignore me. I speak loudly in my silence.

I represent all circles of families and friends and those who gave their last full measure to serve her.

I have stood on battlefields, and have been flown in military units and tribunals; I have graced the sides of aircraft, and have sailed the seas of the world on ships representing our nation, and our dedication to freedom. I have been draped ever too often on the coffins of our fallen. However, this is my most prideful position, as I lay down upon a sacrificed soul … one who honored this country, this spirit of freedom. I want to comfort them, as if to say, "Thank you, my friend. Thank you for laying down your life for me, and what I stand for. I will warm you until your angel wings unfurl and you take flight from this earth to a greater place."

I am proud to be respectively folded and presented to the mourning families of our fallen. For it is through their sacrifice, also, that I continue to wave.

This Fourth of July, go ahead and celebrate as you pop your firecrackers, eat your hotdogs and enjoy family and friends. But most of all please think of me and what I stand for as I fly over your land. Carry me in your parades and more importantly, in your hearts, and never let anyone disrespect me. Teach your children the importance of the symbol of "me." Instill in the young the pride that I represent in our country.

Teach them the "Pledge of Allegiance" as it was meant to be spoken and has been by so many of our generation. Teach them patriotism. Tell them that true patriotism should make the heart beat faster and the tongue wag slower. Let them know that a man's country is not just a certain area of land. It is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.

In every fold of my fabric, see the wrinkled brows of America's veterans. In every stripe, see the stripes of soldiers and forces that laid down on battlefields and beaches and died for you. In every wave of this flag, see the waves of the many oceans and seas that were traveled on, which so often led many to their final sacrifices for our country beneath the blues and greens of foreign and domestic waters. I will thank you for this. I will make you proud to fly me. May you always see the Red, White, and Blue, without being blue. For I pledge allegiance to you, my friends, my country.

Merely a flag? I hope you don't view me that way now. I am your flag. I am the American Flag.

I wish you a happy Fourth of July and a happy life in America, the greatest country in the world.

"I am the American flag" was sent to the Cherokeean Herald by Katherine Lindsay, a former resident of Rusk who currently lives in San Antonio.

It was written by her daughter in-law as a special tribute to her husband Bud Lindsay (Gaylord C. Lindsay III), who graduated from Rusk High School Class in 1965. He retired from the Army in November of 2005.