The liberty principle for this Freedom Friday concerns the reason why the flag of the United States should be respected. The flag represents the idea that became America as well as the country. It represents the “truths” that are “self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Preamble to the Declaration of Independence).
The Declaration of Independence is the
presentation of the idea “that all men are created equal,” and the Constitution
of the United States is the plan or program to bring that idea to pass. In the
words of Leo O’Malley at The Daily Signal, “America is much more than a country”
because it is a “revolutionary idea.” This idea was enough to cause American
colonists to revolt against Great Britain and to fight for eight long years to
win independence and freedom.
The flag that was carried into
battle in the Revolutionary War and every war since represents the country and
the idea of freedom. It drapes the coffins of the fallen soldiers, sailors,
airmen, Marines, and coastguard personnel. It was taken to the moon, and it was
flown over the rubble of 9/11. Men and women of all ages made great sacrifices
as they “stepped forward in every generation to renew and more perfectly
realize the promise of America.” Despite all the errors and sins of America in
the past, it continues to become a better country. The idea is still a good
one, and the promise goes with us into the future. O’Malley continued with his
explanation of the promise.
The promise of America lives on through
those brave heroes who have, over the centuries fought to fulfill our societal
vow that, wherever the American flag flies, there too shall be found life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In ratification of this sacred promise,
our blood has watered the beaches of Okinawa, the fields of Gettysburg, the
waves of the Atlantic, the streets of Selma, the hedgerows of Normandy, and the
deserts of the Middle East.
The flag is a symbol of America at its
best. It is a banner of remembrance to those who have fought and died in its
shadow, an emblem that has stricken fear into the hearts of dictators and
tyrants, and a sign that has given hope to millions escaping the clutches of
oppression.
But, most of all, the flag embodies our
commitment to fully realizing the founding principles of America.
There is much strife and contention
in America today, and some Americans have chosen to show disrespect to the flag
of the country. There are those who desire to “fundamentally transform” America
because of past mistakes and current weaknesses. Without unity around our flag
and founding principles, Americans could be torn apart in another civil war.
Abraham Lincoln spoke of a divided house on June 16, 1858, as he accepted the Illinois Republican Party’s
nomination as U.S. Senator. He declared, “A house divided against itself cannot
stand.” He was describing the situation in the United States where some of the
states supported slavery and some did not. “I believe this government cannot
endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be
dissolved – I do not expect the house to fall – but I do expect it will cease
to be divided. It will become all one or all the other.”
Two years later, Lincoln was elected
as President of the United States, and the Southern States declared their
independence. A four-year war was fought, and more than 600,000 men gave their
lives in the battles. The Civil War, at great cost, proved that states cannot
leave the union. It also declared that “all” men are created equal with
unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The “house”
did not fall, but it did not remain divided. Time alone will tell us how the current
division in the United States will be healed. The flag can bring unity if it is
given its deserved respect. It must become the flag of all Americans and not
just some of us.
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