Every morning, students around the country stand up, put their right hand on their chest and state the Pledge of Allegiance. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. Generations have done it and there is a reason we will continue to do it. No matter how many times people may protest it, the Pledge of Allegiance means so much more than respect towards our flag.

To those who serve, it is like an oath…

“I pledge allegiance, to the flag…of The United States of America. For the republic, for which it stands: One Nation, Under God, Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All.”

With that said, men and women and children enlist in the United States military to fight for the republic because we are one nation. Many people in my family have fought in the military and I have always wanted to as well—however, medical reasons denied me that opportunity. Nonetheless, we are a nation that is represented through the heart of the flag. As it waves in the air, it is like the blood of this country that flows smoothly though the veins of us all. Think about it, you most likely see the American Flag one time a week, minimal.

Moving forward to today’s protests, people all across the country are burning and destroying the American flag, however they please, in order to get a point across. Yes, they are mad because they did not get their way. But does that mean you need to destroy the American flag? That flag may have cost you $5.00 at Walmart, but a flag is a flag. Now, if that flag had touched the ground on accident, then you have to burn the flag. But this is crazy.

To those of you who have burned the American flag, listen very closely.

You say the flag is just a flag and that it means nothing. But what does that flag represent when a mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, or child, witnesses a military official holding a folded flag only to tell you that you lost a loved on. Is that just a flag? What would you tell the person, who just lost a loved one fighting to defend that flag? Would it still just be a flag?

I am overly ashamed of how people today are treating this flag. To be honest, I wouldn’t know what I would do if someone I loved came back in the shape of a flag. I pray for those that have or are going to go through that. However, I am so sick and tired of seeing people disrespect the American flag all because they didn’t get their way.

I mean, we are all adults here. Do you think burning the flag would be a great example to our children on how to behave in society?

“Well, mommy and daddy did it in 2016…that means I can do it again in 2050.” When will it end.

For me, and for many, the flag is more than just a flag. DO NOT disrespect it. Just because you are having a bad day, does not mean that you have to disrespect a symbol that means more than you do.