America. It's a country that is not perfect. It's a country that has a lot of flaws. It's a country that doesn't necessarily treat its veterans right. It's a country that surely loves its second amendment. Yet even though America has its weak points, it's a country that I will forever call home.

Before I continue, if you are easily offended, well... this article will just walk all over your 'Safe Zone.'

I want to first start out by saying I was born in Italy. However, I have been a legal U.S. Citizen for the past 18 years. Not for a second do I take my freedom for granted, so it breaks my heart to see that natural born citizens take their freedom for granted. I don't understand it. I just don't.

When I say people take their freedom for granted, I am talking about the people who burn American flags, people who fly the American flag upside down, and, most recently, the people (person) who refuse to stand for the flag. Yes, I am talking about Colin Kaepernick.

Don't get me wrong, I totally understand that Colin Kaepernick should be able to express his own freedom of speech. However, I do not respect him for not standing for our flag. One of the reasons why is I personally know people who have had family members killed in war so that we, the citizens of United States, can follow our own dreams. I currently have friends and a fraternity brother who are out fighting for our freedom. I don't know how much of that statement hits home for you, but I know that I am able to live free because of them. So for some people to have the audacity to disrespect the flag, well that will never sit well with me.

Again, I understand that Kaepernick is practicing the first amendment. That's great. I understand he is protesting with the whole #BlackLivesMatter movement. I am thrilled to see that he wants to get the movement noticed. However, he and I have a completely different perspective of the movement.

I will always stand for the flag because I know how much our military devotes to ensuring our freedom is safe. People don't seem to understand that standing for the flag doesn't always have to mean standing for America as a whole. Standing for the flag means it is time to honor all of those who have fallen protecting it. I personally hate the position our government is in. I mean, just look at the politics. So you cannot tell me that standing for the American flag is equivalent to supporting America as a whole.

For the men and women who disagree with me, I highly recommend that you visit another country. In fact, you should visit a country like North Korea. I am sure they will take kindly to you not showing respect to their own flag. In fact, they'll most likely put you up in the nicest hotel and give you the nicest meals just because they felt you had enough courage to tell them that you do not like their flag. I hope you sense the sarcasm here.

That being said, I am all for fighting the police brutality, but I am for police lives matter, black lives matter, for natural Indians protecting their home, for the immigrants seeking better job opportunities, and for women who fight for equal pay. I am ultimately for people respecting each other no matter what their background is. Yet I won't protest those issues by not standing for the flag. To me, that's like you saying that you are boycotting a company but still use the company's products just because someone else bought it.

So that's why I'll stand for the flag. I don't stand for equality of all. I don't stand for prejudice. However, I do stand for all the men and women who have lost their lives which has allowed us to even get in this mess. Colin Kaepernick, you might have a valid point for protesting, but please do not tell me that not standing for the National Anthem is justifiable to men and women dying daily so you can play football and be paid handsomely. There are thousands of military members would be happy to trade positions with you, yet they follow their duty and protect us at any expense.

So if you ask me why I will always stand for the flag, it is not for America, but it's all for the men and women who devote their lives every day so I myself have an option to stand for the flag or not. Go ahead and practice your freedom of speech, but I hope that you can visit countries like North Korea so you'll understand how great our first amendment is. Maybe then you'll start to stand for the flag. I mean, who cares about our soldiers that have put their life on the line just so a football player can live out his dream? After all, what's the big deal about making hundred of thousands of dollars while being a star player of a huge professional football team? I mean, you're entitled to it, aren't you?