The 2016 United States Presidential election was one of the most competitive, and country-shaken elections yet. The results were astonishing, and the reactions afterwards were even more astonishing. I voted for Trump, but that's not what this article is about. And while I'd absolutely love to sit and explain to you why I voted for Trump, that's not the point of this article. One election may mean a lot to some people, but I think honoring our country should mean much more.
As a result of the election, there were many riots, as you probably have heard of or even seen. Many were upset about the results and Trump's presidential plans, so many went through city streets and college campuses rioting and holding up signs. I have nothing against freedom of speech, as this is a right that our founding fathers once gave to us as United States citizens, but there is something that some of these rioters did that I was not okay with.
They burned our flag.
Now let me explain to you something. Burning a country's flag is not showing disrespect or dislike to a country's leader/s. Burning a flag is showing complete disrespect for our country's heroes, martyrs, veterans, and history. Burning a flag is showing disrespect to all of those who have died to keep this country free. A flag symbolizes peace, hope, and liberty. When you destroyed our flag, you were showing that you had no respect for our liberty and freedom.
25,000 American men died fighting in the Revolutionary War.
A whopping 625,000 US men died in the Civil War.
Approximately 116,000 United States troops died fighting in World War I.
Approximately 400,000 United States troops died fighting in World War II.
Vietnam War left 58,000 United States soldiers dead.
Around 36,000 US troops died in the Korean War.
The number of troops who have died so far in Afghanistan and Iraq as of 2015 is total of 6,800.
And then I remember the Marines from Iwo Jima from one of the most popular photographs in all of history, raising the flag on top Mount Suribachi and how much it meant to those men that our flag would be raised.
Our flag means much more than just a pretty symbol. Our flag should remind every American for what we stand for. It should also remind each person the blessings and freedom each person who is born in the United States has been given, and should also remind each person to remember those who made this country free.
So I'm not saying that people don't have a freedom to speak how they wish to or have their own opinions. You can have your opinion concerning the political candidates--that is your right. But I'm simply asking to keep our country's flag out of it. Because when you burn it, it has nothing to do with Trump or your dislike for him, but everything to do with our nation and those who have died for it.
Let's keep that flag raised.
