We stand for the flag not to please ourselves, but to honor the 1.2 million American men and women who died for our freedom because of war.

When the national anthem plays or the flag passes by during a parade, and you stand at attention and place your hand over your heart, what do you think about? Can you see the rockets’ red glare, bombs bursting in air during the Battle of Fort McHenry? Or five men raising the American flag amid the battle at Iwo Jima? Maybe you see a flag draped casket being carried off a plane by uniformed military personnel. When we salute our flag, we should be thinking of the men and women that fought for our country to ensure our freedom, especially those who were killed or injured.

We stand for the flag not to focus on what divides us as a country but on what unites us, which is being an American. The name American, which belongs to every United States citizen, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism. The name American deserves our highest respect and pride. Standing for the flag and National Anthem during sporting events or other public gatherings shows that we are all Americans no matter what race, religion or political preference and that we are proud to be Americans.

We stand for the flag not to pledge allegiance to our president but to honor the reality that we have an “elected” president and not a “lifetime” king or dictator.

We stand for the flag not because of past or present pain caused by injustice but to salute the principles of justice. Patriotism is not pride in the pain of our nation’s past; patriotism is pride in the principles that paved the way for change.

We stand for the flag not for our generation but to set an example for the next generation. Freedom is not free; our soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and Coast Guardsmen have paid a hefty price for our freedom. Remember and honor them this Memorial Day when our American flag passes by or you sing our National Anthem – stand at attention, remove your cap, stop talking and salute the Red, White and Blue.