The Value Of The American Flag

The latest pattern of the United States American flag has been in use since July 1960 when the 50th star was added. The design of the flag includes thirteen horizontal stripes alternating red and white, which represent the thirteen original colonies, and fifty stars of alternating numbers of six and five per row on a blue field, known as the canton, which represent the fifty states. The colors of the flag have symbolic meaning as well. The blue in the canton signifies vigilance, perseverance and justice, the white signifies purity and innocence, and the red signifies hardiness and valor. Once an American flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be respectfully retired and replaced with a new one. One way, which is also a controversial topic, of retiring a worn, faded, torn or soiled flag, is by burning it in a special ceremony. I favor the burning of the American flag in whatever manner an individual pleases because the burning of the flag is protected by the first amendment, because it is an individual's personal belief
I understand that the American flag is symbolic, but if someone were to burn it, it can always be replaced with a new one. Why value the United States, everything that happened, all the wars fought and people who died for their country, through a flag, when you can value it in your hearts? I’m not saying that individuals should get rid of the flag. I’m just saying that if someone goes and burns an American flag, not to take it so personally. Take a monument, for example. Just like the flag, monuments represent the history of a country, and just like the burning of the flag, monument removal spins off a very controversial topic. Yes, they represent important people and events in history, but a piece of material is not needed to value or recall what has happened. To remember something, you do not need it written in