A Time For Reflection, A Time For Action

This year, America is 223 years old, and we are again about to celebrate the Fourth of July, our birthday as a nation. Many people have a traditional understanding of what Independence Day means. But, some things are not well known about the meaning of this holiday. Thus, it is important to pause and reflect on why we celebrate this national holiday.

John Adams, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, wrote that everyone should celebrate the Fourth of July with "pomp and parade," "shows, games and sports," "guns, bells, bonfires." Yet it was a quiet day in Philadelphia when the ink dried on the Declaration of Independence. Most of the signers did not realize in full what they had created. Adams, however, knew that July 4th, 1776, and every July 4th thereafter, would be special because our government is of the people. We have separation of governmental powers. Our juries are made up of the people themselves, not self-appointed officials. We enjoy freedom of speech and religion as well as the right to change our government through accepted ways whenever we perceive it needs change.

When I was growing up, my parents, acknowledging all the above and honoring those who had made the supreme sacrifice in defense of our country, proudly put up a United States flag on the Fourth of July. Many of the people we looked up to, flew the flag every day. When we went to a parade, the flag held a place of honor. We rose to our feet and paid proper respect as it passed by. Those patriotic traditions should be as important to us today as they were then. Yet some people today wonder why we feel the way we do about our flag.

We love Old Glory for the same reason we celebrate Independence Day. It's about values, responsibility, and respect for our country and for the banner that flies over our cherished institutions. It's about the many thousands of Americans who have sacrificed for our freedom in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Panama, Grenada, the Persian Gulf, and now Yugoslavia. It's about the fact that almost everyone around the globe looks at our flag as a symbol of a nation that gives opportunity.

There is much that is good about America. If only the signers of the Declaration of Independence could see how a diverse people can live peacefully as one nation under God, they would celebrate right along with us today. We have it so good here in America that we don't mind serving our communities. When asked to help young people, we do it. When asked to serve the elderly or a worthy cause, we do it. When the Supreme Court takes away the people's right to protect the flag, we work to correct the mistake.

Before heading out for a park or beach holiday or setting up your backyard for a Fourth of July picnic, take a moment to pause and reflect on the meaning of the Fourth of July and the heritage of patriotism passed to us by our forefathers. On this, our nation's birthday, you can make a difference by exercising your Article V rights to return Old Glory to its rightful protected status as the cherished symbol of freedom and the American spirit. Contact your members of Congress. Express your support of the Flag Protection Amendment. Our Founding Fathers would be very proud of your action and would know you truly understood the meaning of the Fourth of July.

For more information on the Flag Protection Amendment, call the American Legion-founded Citizens Flag Alliance at 1-800-424-FLAG.