Our flag, our future

Dear editor:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. It’s our flag; our symbol of unity. Your family history and mine, our neighbor’s history, our nation’s defenders and servants of all faiths, colors and diverse beliefs — all are represented in the beauty and sanctity of each waving American flag. Please don’t disgrace the meaning of our flag through its display in a seditious mob.

“Out of the many, one.” This fundamental American principle consists of two major concepts we must hold dear, as did our Founders if our generation is to pass down our heritage of limited, representative government to the next. First, “Out of the many” requires we “many” are entitled to the Bill of Rights protections of freedom of speech, religion and press to pursue our individual values, goals and ideals. When we are free to read widely, write, explore and experience life, then we can grow, prosper and continue our nation’s progress.

Our 21st Century citizens appear in greater danger of forgetting the second concept: becoming “one.” Unity demands respect for others; for their lives, for their concerns and wisdom, for their values different from our own. Mutual respect begets discussion, sincere listening, sharing, and ultimately thoughtful, wise actions to solve critical issues.

Our nation’s flag invokes reverence and a deep symbolic meaning to Americans. Throughout the last four centuries, our flag has been a powerful symbol of human rights and dignity worldwide. Domestically this one flag honors our 50 states and 13 founding colonies — strong, separate, unique yet bound together majestically inspiring Americans toward life, liberty, happiness and justice for all.

America has always been a vision and a work in progress. Let us pray we never lose the true spirit of our flag. May that spirit help us today to reclaim the deepest wisdom of our constitutional system of government. As always, we have challenges and enemies, foreign and domestic. “United we stand, divided we fall” is no mere platitude. It’s our ticket to survival.

A “Trump flag” is a false flag. Pledge allegiance to our one true American flag only. Only it represents our Constitution, Republic and laws that have seen us prosper through 245 years of growth and change. Let’s not take our eyes off the prize. Let’s keep “Old Glory” flying for our children. Jerry Rephan Hot Springs