"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it, it flies with the last
breath of each soldier who died protecting it." –Unknown
If you have ever attended a graveside funeral for an American active duty service member or veteran, you know that they are profoundly moving. The American flag is featured in the ceremony, evoking a solemnity and reverence for American ideals and values that do not waiver. Our flag, used in this way, is a stark reminder of all that is good in us as a nation, and all that we seek–freedom and justice for all. It reminds us that for almost 250 years, brave men and women have fought and died to protect the democracy that sustains us as a country. And today, on Flag Day, and on the heels of Memorial Day, we once again call upon all patriotic Americans to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in Lady Liberty’s name.
During a military funeral, a service member’s sacrifices are honored. As they should be. For many, the most powerful moment is the graveside presentation of the American flag to a surviving representative of the deceased. During the ceremony, and following the playing of “Taps” by a lone bugler, our flag is folded in silent precision in 13 folds by a standing honor guard. The 13 folds represent the number of our original colonies. With a final tuck, the flag becomes a tri-cornered shape flag that is then solemnly presented to the next of kin by a military officer who says, "On behalf of the president of the United States, the United States Army/Air Force/Navy/Marines, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.” So moving, so absolutely appropriate.
Another way of looking at the passing of the flag is that the new flag bearer now carries the awesome responsibility of protecting and defending the sacred foundations of the United States. The simplest of ways to do that is to forever honor the power of, and the long-established protocols of, displaying our national flag. The flag should never be shown with the 50-star union facing down, except as a signal of extreme distress. Sadly, in today’s fraught political
environment, there are some Americans who choose to display a false flag of distress with the union facing down. Such a display is as disrespectful to deceased members of our military as it is dangerously divisive to all Americans.
Today, on this Flag Day, and less than five months until our next presidential election, we must ask the tough questions out loud. Is it any wonder that the people who choose to dishonor our flag in such a way, are blindly following a felonious, draft-dodging presidential candidate who is incapable of understanding sacrifice to our nation? Is it not unthinkable that a member of the U.S. Supreme Court would allow the disrespectful display of our symbol of freedom, and then lie about it? By allowing the upside-down display of our national flag at his home, Justice Samuel Alito has demonstrated ingratitude for our Military, and has betrayed his solemn oath to, “support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic [and] bear true faith and allegiance to the same….” By so egregiously failing to uphold his oath of allegiance, it is clear Justice Alito has lost his way and forgotten to be grateful for the many blessings bestowed upon this great nation. Thus, he forfeits his right to sit on the highest court of our land. He should resign immediately from the Supreme Court of the United States.
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