Betty Heath: Our flag, our freedom symbol - Longmont Times-Call

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As I was busy tending to some Irises in my flower bed the other day when I realized Flag Day was fast approaching.

Back in the ‘old days’ my grandmother called her Irises flags. I never asked, but I suppose it’s because they stand tall and stalwart. The strong winds we had back in April blew a couple of bird nests out of our trees and left us with maple helicopters all over the yard and deck. But the high winds didn’t phase the irises; they were still standing tall after the winds stopped blowing.

Betty Heath

To satisfy my curiosity about these beautiful flowers I looked up the history and meaning of
them. They date back to Greek mythology and come in a rainbow of colors. The favorite color is the popular deep blue variety. In mythology the iris stands for faith, hope, wisdom, courage and admiration. No wonder they are one of my favorite flowers.

The iris reminds me of our nation’s flag as it has withstood many stormy winds throughout the years. Its meaning also includes the same qualities as the iris. Many times it is the only thing left standing after disaster strikes as witnessed after the tornadoes ripped through the heartland earlier this spring.

We’ve seen it happen on battlefields in Iwo Jima, Lyons, Tokyo, Berlin, Fallujah, Bagdad, Mosul, Kabul, and Kandahar. Anytime disaster strikes, our country’s flag can be seen still standing tall, waving in the midst of mayhem.

I am saddened when I see people disrespect or take for granted our beautiful standard called our flag. The freedoms it represents haven’t been given to us without bloodshed and tears. At public gatherings I see people totally ignoring the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem. They just stand there looking around with their hands in their pockets, yawning as though they are bored with the whole procedure. As I see it, this is total disrespect for our country and our flag.

I shudder every time I see someone writing on or signing our flag. The Flag Etiquette Standards of Respect gives specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used, including the following:

The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure or drawing of any kind.

The flag should never be used for advertising purposes. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchief, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.

When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The complete list of flag etiquette can be found at usflag.org.

The flag is one of our national treasures and should be treated as such with the respect and
dignity it deserves. I’m proud to be an American and I’m proud of our country’s flag. My irises will eventually fade away, but the flag has weathered many stormy winds and it still stands tall, proudly waving o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. May it ever be so.

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Betty Heath: Our flag, our freedom symbol - Longmont Times-Call
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