I can not, and will never, understand how students can burn the American Flag, yet gladly accept financial aid from the country she represents to help fund their own education.
In 2008 a total of 79.5% of full-time undergraduate college students received Federal Financial Aid from the United States Government. On average, $12,000.00 was paid towards each student's college tuition in the United States for those undergrads receiving Federal Aid. The Federal Government of the United States of America provides this funding every single year and is managed by the Student Financial Aid Office of the United States Department of Education.
Are you telling me that of all the students pictured above, not a single one of them received financial aid from the United States Government? DOUBT IT!
21.4-million students, undergrad/ grad/ professional, were enrolled in school in 2008. Exactly 17 million of aforementioned students, received financial aid from the United States Government.
Do you slander your parents names and call them jerks behind their backs right after they feed you or provide you with clothes?? The United States Government is the sole reason that 79.5% of students were able to continue their education in 2008! Come on! You know who helps provide those Government provided educational funds? Hard working American citizens. Oh and get this: You have to be an AMERICAN CITIZEN, U.S. National, or qualifying Non-citizen, to receive that educational funding!
Alright I'm going to tie it all together for you now...
The freedom to attend the educational institution of your choosing, to study the discipline of your choice, and the freedom follow the career path of your choosing, are all provided by the Americans that paid the ultimate price in defense of the very flag you all burn and stomp. We are blessed to live in a country where we can study and learn as we please without threat of communism and dictatorship. We are not perfect and we probably never will be, but that is all part of being human.
Before you take up arms with your college buddies, I implore you to really think about who you are insulting by burning the American Flag.
United States Servicemen Killed/ Wounded in 2008.
Old Glory
“I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand watch in America’s halls of justice. I stand guard majestically over great institutions of learning. I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world. Look up and see me. I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident; I am arrogant; I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one. I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped. I am loved and I am feared. I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years: Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, in the Persian Gulf and a score of places long forgotten, by all but those who were there with me. I was there. I led my Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. I followed them and watched over them. They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines and Sailors cheered me. And I was proud. I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my own country. and when it is by those I have served in battle with, it hurts. But I shall overcome, for I am strong. I have slipped the bonds of earth and from my vantage point on the moon, I stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space. I have been silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn in strips to be used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle - when I fly at half mast to honor my Soldiers, my Airman, my Sailors, my Marines, and - when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother, at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter. I am proud. My name is “Old Glory.” Long may I wave, dear God, long may I wave.”
