Washington, Pa., Marine runs with an American flag for unity
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That he’s a sergeant in the Marine Reserves reflects his patriotism. That he’s also a 24-year-old African American male has impelled his participation in recent peaceful protests, given that he has been stopped several times by police for the crime of driving a handsome, silver Ford Mustang — but more so because of the recent police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Dheaven Kelley, of Washington, Pa., exemplifies what good Americans do when injustices occur, with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution assuring that “right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
That explains his combined protest and patriotism — a public call for unity — that finds him carrying an American flag four or five times weekly during his minimum 6-mile runs in and about his hometown.
Change through unity may seem improbable, given national divisiveness that’s wider and deeper than the Grand Canyon.
How unlikely nowadays that red and blue can be blended into purple, black and white into gray, and right-wing and socialist extremes being urged more toward center, as represented by that middle color in the rainbow — green.
“Once unified, it is a blinder to differences,” Dheaven proclaimed recently after a 6-mile run in 90degree heat.
He was a member of the
Washington High School 4by-800-meter relay team that won the state championship in 2014. He was a cross-country champion and ran a 4minute-23-second mile. So far he has served six years in the Marine Reserves, a commitment that has guided his decision to merge ambition with public service.
Now he’s running a new race to express social concern and patriotism simultaneously, not with a fist thrust in the air or risking his fate by running through white neighborhoods or standing face to face against a wall of police.
More recently he has been carrying a flag with 15 stars that flew during the War of 1812, when Francis Scott Key composed “The Star-Spangled Banner” and nearly 20% of the U.S. population was enslaved.
Dheaven also is running an early-bird 2021 campaign for Washington City Council. Unemployed for now, he said he operates a notary and tax service with the goal of taking the civil service exam to become a Washington city firefighter.
“Every race has experienced police brutality with police not being held accountable for their actions,” he said. “And, yes, people think that because you are Black you need to be angry and infuriated. But I’m looking at it from a different standpoint because of the experiences I’ve had.”
His Marine platoon, he said, includes “Blacks, whites, Hispanics, Arabs and people of different ethnicity.” It’s his responsibility to assure that “their lives are good because they are under my charge.”
“What they taught me in the military, in general, is a good foundation of understanding of who people are,” he said. “Whenever there is a stressful situation, or any situation involving everyone, it no longer matters what color you are.”
Given that perspective, he said, he’s trying to understand police mentality and psychology, and “what can be done to alleviate what’s going on around the country.”
Reform, he said, is necessary in government and other authorities, “where corruption can present itself and accountability, as well as education, needs to happen.”
“Something drastically different must happen now rather than later,” Dheaven said. “There has been progress. But on a bigger spectrum, I think there needs to be change.”
When someone beeps a horn or calls out their support while he’s running, he hoists the flag high into the air. Crossing streets, he extends it like a railroad gate to keep his progress clear.
Mostly, he carries his flag fluttering alongside him as a companion or ahead of him, perhaps like a carrot to chase, with his impressively fast pace that’s fluid and elegant with long strides and perfect posture.
He promises that his flag will continue to flutter. His heart will continue beating with a passion for fitness — and unity — with a generational need for compromise and respect. Democracy should be more democratic, with his own courage and confidence emboldened as a member of the Marine Reserves.
Never did I ask nor feel the need to know his party affiliation. His thoughts and actions seem in unison with either political party.
In that sense, Dheaven Kelley and his flag represent patriotism at a time when others may find their patriotism flagging.
In the wake of Independence Day, with full respect for our American flag, now might be time to end the focus on those politically charged colors of red, white and blue.
Maybe there’s something to Dheaven’s inspired dash through middle America with his flag hoisted high that calls for a fresh embrace of purple, gray and green.