You Can Stand Alone

Today is Flag Day. though you'd probably not know it from visiting a Hallmark Store.

We think "flag" on the Fourth of July and mentally if not physically pack it away by noon on the fifth. In the aftermath of 09/11/01, people had them everywhere to the point, I feared, that the flag had no point for many. 

And for too often in recent years, we've had scoundrels of all political and ideological stripes wrap themselves in the flag, physically as well as metaphorically, while insisting 'love me, love my dog' as if their display of patriotism could somehow overcome the venality (if not actual criminality) of their behavior. 

Some of us salute the flag; others stand when the National Anthem is played or the colors are presented. Still, others take a knee to remind us how far we are from the ideals that we want to believe our flag represents for our nation.

Our men and women in uniform do not defend the flag-they defend the nation the flag represents, warts and all (and have you looked at us in the mirror lately? We are some pretty scary people my friend). 

The flag stands for us but sometimes, I'm saddened to say, we'll fall for anything.
-bill kenny