by Gilbert Public Schools parent, Julie Smith
Recently, my son came running into the house to report our flag in the front yard had been stolen. We all rushed outside to assess the damage. We found our flag pole bent and only the grommets from the flag with a few shreds of fabric left. Whoever did it probably stood on a boulder in the yard and jumped to grab the flag. My children asked in disbelief “who would do such a thing?” My heart sank. My only response was “a person without respect.”
I had just purchased the flag earlier in the week to replace the aged one in our yard. In the store, I debated which new flag to purchase. Money is tight, and the printed image flag was half the price. I considered all that our flag represents and quickly pulled down the embroidered one and headed for the checkout.
My daughter helped me replace the old one making sure neither flag touched the ground. We hoisted up the new flag. She was a beauty! I thought of all that our flag represents. All of the sacrifice from the Revolutionary War to the present. I thought of the flag makers of the early days who carefully sewed each star with pride. The flag I had purchased was from the Annin company which has been making flags since 1847. I couldn’t help but ponder the care and pride that company put into my flag.
It was windy the day before the flag was ripped down so violently, and I noticed the breeze would kick up a little making the flag wave in the air. I couldn’t help but stop to look at the waving flag. The sounds of the snapping fabric and sights of the stars and stripes gave me pause. I gave thanks to God for allowing me to be born in the United States of America and for all the freedoms I have.
So off to Wal-Mart I go to purchase a new flag and pole. And to the person who took our flag, may I make a suggestion? Why don’t you crack open a book or log onto the internet and discover the truth about our flag and its true meaning to those who love Freedom? Maybe then you will understand why it is so important to show some respect.