American Flag Essay

What does the American Flag Symbolize

We need to realize something, we need to realize that the people burning the American flag in this picture go beyond just burning our flag. Burning the American flag represents the hatred, not only for America, but the hatred of freedom.

The American Flag is the embodiment of freedom, and is made powerful through dedication and sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice for America and Freedom has been made countless times by the brave and selfless men and women of the American Military. Walking barefoot through snow at Valley Forge, being slaughtered on the beaches at D-Day, fighting in booby trapped enemy infested jungles, and battling an enemy driven by a religion that has no honor; these are Americans defending their freedom and the freedom of others. To give four years of your life you have to be dedicated to a cause; that cause has to be even more important if it requires that you fight and possibly die. Our Military has always been a large part of the "face" of America, the picture that others see when they think of the "Land of the Free". I believe that the picture of the American Military is one of men and women willing to do the right thing, to persevere in all odds, and to protect and forward the cause of freedom in the world we live in. We need to stand behind our Flag and our Military; they made America what it is today and they deserve our time, our prayers, and our deepest respect.

The American Flag should never be desecrated in any way. Burning our Flag, flying our Flag upside-down, throwing our Flag on the ground, and standing on our Flag should all be made illegal. In the paper you sometimes see pictures of local people burning flags, flying them upside down, or desecrating them in some way. These people should not be called "Americans" or be allowed to live in America. I can understand if you don't like the American Flag, or don't consider it to be your flag. What I don't understand is why you think you can live in America if you don't support all that it was founded upon and all that it stands for today. If you don't like America, then move to some other land; but don't stay here enjoying the freedom that was purchased with blood, if you don't plan on making a contribution yourself. Burning the American Flag is unpardonable; you are spitting in the faces of all the men who gave it all so you could be free. Don't Tread on me, or my Flag.

The American Flag stands not only for freedom, but also for unity. It is amazing that thirteen different states came together to create the United States of America, which now contains fifty states. These thirteen original states had to put aside their many differences, join together in unity, devote their lives to the cause of freedom, and defeat the British Empire so that they could be free. America is truly "E Pluribus Unum", "out of many into one. We made a viable economy, a powerful and unified government, and a place where people can pursue the "American dream"; all out of a jumble of states and territories. Praise the Lord. In this unity, we should have in mind that the goal of others is to destroy our unity. We need to be constantly watchful against attacks and we need to not start pointing fingers when wars take longer then hoped. We need to remain the example of unity and freedom that the whole world sees us as.

I love the American Flag. I have always been taught to love, respect, and protect the Flag no matter what. Many members of my family, and several of my friends served at one point or are serving right now in the Military of the United States. I am very proud of my patriotic heritage and I am considering joining the Marines as an officer after college. The American Flag, and the freedom and peace that America embodies, are very important to me. I love my country, and I want my kids to be able to enjoy the same freedom that I have been blessed enough to enjoy in the United States of America. I do realize that freedom isn't