" Old Glory!"

I am an Italian-American, and I'm very proud of my cultural heritage. We arguably have given America the best food in the world! Seriously though, Italian-Americans wear their patriotism on their sleeves proudly. I'm sure this is not limited to Italian-Americans. We love this nation because it gives us the freedom to be Americans and still love where we came from.

During the 1960's, the Flag of the United States was being defiled by the "great unwashed" in protest to the war in Viet Nam. Flag burning was the order of the day for those protesters. As a former soldier, I find this type of protest disgusting. I'm sure most of those protesting know little to nothing about our flag.

On January 1, 1776, George Washington ordered the "Grand Union" flag flown over his post at Prospect Hill. The "Grand Union" flag was 13 stripes with the Union Jack in the upper left corner. In May of 1776, Betsy Ross sewed the first "American Flag", 13 stars and 13 stripes, the flag known as "Old Glory". The "Star Spangled Banner" was inspired by our flag as Francis Scott Key watched it fly throughout a battle. In 1945, U.S. marines raised the flag on Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima; to this day, it is one of the most inspiring photos ever taken of our flag and the cost of our freedom. On April 25, 1976, outfielder Rick Monday rescued the flag from some protesters who wanted to burn our flag at a baseball game. Americans are passionate about their flag!

Recently, there has been a problem at a high school over the wearing of the American Flag on May 5th of this year. As most of you know "Cinco de Mayo" is a Mexican holiday much like our Fourth of July. Evidently, some students wore American Flag shirts and the Mexican-American students felt this was an insult to the Mexican holiday. This has turned into a constitutional issue, as those students were sent home when they refused to turn their shirts inside out when ordered to do so. Many of the Mexican- American students wore clothing with the Mexican flag on it and nothing was done to them. I'm sure some of the actions by these students were a political statement, yet it is disturbing that the wearing of the American Flag merited those students being sent home. This is America! Under the flag of this nation, millions of immigrants have found freedom and success on our shores. In little Italy on the fourth of July you will find the American flag flying proudly with the Italian flag crossed along with it; there is no conflict there.

As the original designers flew our flag for the first time, they saw it as a symbol of unification, not division. All Americans can be proud of their origins, but they need to remember they are Americans first. The opportunities they enjoy are because of our Constitution and our shared cultures. Love America first!