It is national flag day. That means it is a day to reflect on and share what the flag means to you. It is NOT a day to tell people how they should act. #FlagDay2018 1/9
As a Marine, the flag represents an enduring symbol that connects me to the family I chose to join when I entered military service. Every honorable sacrifice made by those in uniform is a thread in that flag. 2/9
The flag is also a somber reminder that unspeakable atrocities have been committed by those who honestly believed that they were acting in the best interest of the country. It is important to remember that our patriotism must not be allowed to eclipse our empathy and humanity. 3/
The flag also reminds me that I have a perspective rooted in a place on the map. The way I think about things and the way I act is very tied to where I have grown up and call home. It reminds me to look for other perspectives and check my biases before taking action. 4/9
Today I remember that the US flag represents the country, not me personally. Those who disrespect or burn the flag are angry with the country. Today I remember that to change their behavior it is more important to understand their anger than to get angry back. 5/9
Today I remember that the flag design tells us a lot about how America works. The 13 stripes remind us that the goals of the first 13 states, as expressed in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, are still a strong guiding force. 6/9
The US flag has the 50 stars set apart from the 13 stripes. This reminds me that each state is a strong force in our democracy. Independence of the several states is an important feature of our country, not an accident or an unintended consequence. 7/9
I may not be able to separate the idea of the flag from the ideals of my military service - I still get the same feeling when I salute the flag during the anthem at a SF Giants game that I did when I was in boot camp. The feeling that I am part of something larger than myself. 8/
Most of all, the flag reminds me that it is my duty to protect and serve the Constitution and my fellow citizens. Most importantly, that means that I must protect the rights of those I disagree with. That's what #FlagDay2018 means to me. 9/9
