What’s the Point of a Flag Day, Anyway?

Today is Flag Day in the United States.

When I put out my red, white and blue American flag, I noticed it was ripped. I took it down, not sure what to do with it.

Not long ago, any disfigured flag needed to be discarded–preferably in a ceremony often done by the Boy Scouts.

As scouts, my boys took part in a moving flag retirement ceremony –a funeral for flags.

Guests recited the pledge of allegiance, the boys reviewed flag history, a bugler played and the scouts placed damaged flags into an incinerator.

They saluted while the flags burned.

We have a second American flag in our house folded into a triangle and displayed in a shadow box.

That flag flew over the aft end of the USS Michigan (SSGN-727) one day. When my husband transferred off the boat, they presented it to him.

We displayed it with all his military medals and his shoulder boards. It hold prominent display on what he calls his “ego wall,” where we’ve placed all his military plaques.

What’s the purpose of a flag?

It’s a banner, a rallying cry in war. Even at the Olympics, I think it’s used to intimidate politically–though it also celebrates national pride.

I put out my flag on days I want to commemorate significant events in my nation’s history. When we lived in Hawai’i, the boy scouts assembled at Punchbowl National Cemetery to decorate graves with red, white and blue.

My heart stirred to see the rows of red, white and blue, acknowledging the great contribution so many made on my behalf–and for other Americans like you.

Something about that flag swaying in the breeze brings out patriotism and pride in my country.

The red, white and blue and Christianity

But sometimes, I feel defensive about that flag and I’m uncomfortable seeing it beside our church’s altar.

American history tells me the founding pioneers came to North America in search of religious freedom. They wanted to worship God without the king’s political involvement. That’s why the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact off the coast of Cape Cod in 1620.

My very favorite Doonesbury cartoon appeared during the VietNam War when B.D. discussed Christmas with his Vietnamese friend, VC Phred.

“Jesus was the son of God. He came to earth to save people.”

“Wow,” VC Phred said. “Jesus sounds pretty terrific. Was he an American?”

“Practically!”

I’ve always loved the irony of that cartoon because, of course, Jesus is not an American. He’s not a Republican or a Democrat either. He’s the Son of God and above all nations, flags, or attempts to co-op him into our particular point of view–political or otherwise.

I like the fact Jesus is not an American, because that makes him accessible to everyone who has ever lived.

Today is Flag Day. I burrowed through the cupboards and found the flag given to my son when he became an Eagle Scout. It flew over the US Capital building.

Red, white and blue, it will fly to remind us we’ve had the privilege of living in a grand experiment of freedom.

Thanks be to God.

Tweetables

What’s the point of flag day? Click to Tweet