Read: What the Flag Means to Me Essays

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. (WVVA) - What do you think of when you see the American flag?

Between Memorial Day and July 4th, WVVA picked essays sent in by viewers.

Below you can read the full submissions selected:

(*Note: some essays have been edited for grammatical purposes and clarity.)

Our nation’s flag means so many things to me. My grandfather, my father and my son were all in the military and I am blessed that they all came home safe. Not everyone is that blessed and when I see our flag, I think of all the men and women who didn’t come home and their families. They gave the ultimate sacrifice, but also those who did come home [and] sacrificed as well. The flag to me holds the tears and blood of all who gave. It is a reminder of all the sacrifices of everyone so that we can live in freedom. I have lived with three generations of military men, and over the years have “adopted” many military “sons.” I will never understand the full impact of what any of them went through. So when you see our flag, remember all, remember what they did for us and continue to do to this day. I salute you all.
(selected July 1, 2022)
Leigh Mallette, Ghent, W.Va.

I looked up today at my flag, I try to do that every day as a routine.
Sometimes I’ll think for a moment or two,
Then I’m glad it can be seen.
You see I don’t just fly it for show, I know where it’s been, what it means, and I want it to glow.
Today I had to take her down because she had gotten weather-beaten and worn.
I knew it was time to replace her with another one who could battle yet another storm.
You see, my flag stands for freedom, in a country that has forgotten its past.
I’m not going to let her hang there battered and torn.
I want her to fly proud and wave high for as long as I will last.
Her stars are faded and she has jagged edges for all that she has been through.
Her stripes are separated,like the county she stands for, has become separated, too.
I for one will fly my flag proud and to my country always be true.
Then when I have finally gone to glory, I hope my children will learn how to fly old glory, too.
(selected June 30, 2022)
Mike Kennett, Rock, W.Va.

In my opinion the flag is a representation of this great nation and her history which is so aptly told by the flag itself. When I count the 13 stripes, I see the original 13 colonies and the struggles they went through to start our country. When I look at the 50 stars, I see how we grew from those original 13 to 50 beautiful and diverse states expanding our borders from sea to shining sea. When I think about the white stripes and white stars, I think about the purity they represent. I think about how we want to be purely American, not governed nor influenced by any other nation or persons that do not fit that description, purely American. Finally, when I look at the red that represents hardiness, I see all the veteran’s past, present and future that were willing to die forming and defending our nation and what she stands for. I also see my shortcomings by not being one of those brave individuals. With red I also see the blood that was shed by so many, doing what needed to be done, without question, on foreign soil and right here on battlefields in America. When I think about what the flag means to me, I could never kneel in front of it when I am asked to stand for her and our great nation.
(selected June 28, 2022)
Scott Cook, Athens, W.Va.

This United States of America’s Flag isn’t just any old flag although it’s been around for over two hundred years; blessed by God’s hand of providence of grace and mercy. It’s been shot at, bombed at, trampled upon, set on fire, battle worn, tattered and torn still it waves boldly and proudly surviving many a war. This flag has been scorned, hated and it is loved. Quite often it’s draped over America’s heroes; our brave cherished ones. Old Glory has been flown throughout combat zones yet rises above the enemy victorious. Never surrendering or giving in to evil. Courageous men and women sacrificed their lives, fighting and dying defending the freedoms of this nation for which this Red, White, and Blue flag represents. This flag means pressing forward for a greater cause that affects us all, no matter how
tough the struggle or battle ahead. It means never giving up, giving in, or giving over to anything or anyone at anytime that threatens the Stars and Stripes of life, love, and liberty. It’s our entrusted responsibility not just a privilege to protect our freedoms because freedom is not free. “Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free… and the home of the brave.”
(selected June 24, 2022)
Evangeline Stover, Shady Spring, W.Va.

When I see the American flag I think of the pure values that our country was built on. I remember the many men and women that sacrificed their lives for the freedom we have today and those that continue to do so. I remember my uncle Alfred Ray Reed that fought in WWI and was gassed by the Germans. I remember my uncle Master Sgt. Warren G. H. Reed that fought in both WWII and Vietnam and was the third person behind General Patton when the locked gates of the concentration camp at Ohrdruf, Germany, were opened by a tank destroyer and his recollection of the horrors inside with bodies stacked 6 deep and his recollection of the burn pits that they could smell for miles. I remember my uncle Nathan Caleb Reed, a ranger wounded during the invasion of Normandy and his recollection of having to hide beneath a cliff until he was rescued. I remember my father, Andrew Newton Reed, that got on the train to answer his call at 37 years old and was trained as a medic but not allowed to go abroad due to his age. I remember my uncle, Sgt. Major Solomon Reed, that fought in WWII and Korea, fighting on Anzio Beach and with the Devil’s Brigade in WWII and gravely wounded behind enemy lines in North Korea that ended his service career. These men were taught to be Christians and always put God first, country second and family third. They were men of honor willing to give their all for their country. As I write, my granddaughter, Sgt. Lindsey Addaire Pennington, is serving our country in a chemical unit on the North Korean border. The flag means that so many souls have been willing to give their all to protect our freedom. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
(selected June 22, 2022)
Rita Pennington

I have the highest respect for our flag and our veterans who fought for our freedom. Many veterans have suffered injuries or given their lives fighting for our country with our flag meaning so much to them. Our flag has a nickname, ‘Old Glory,’ given to it by William Driver. Francis Scott Key had great respect for our flag and wrote ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ which became our national anthem. Another important writing about our flag was ‘The Pledge of Allegiance’ by Francis Bellamy. President Eisenhower was our president when the 49th ad 50th stars were added to our flag.
We truly need to show our true respect to our veterans by making sure when singing the anthem and saying the pledge to the flag, the flag is made in the United States and not in some foreign country. Also, the flag placed on their coffins and flag put on their graves should be made here in the United States. They would not like to be honored with a U.S. flag made in another country. Fly only U.S.-made flags in your yards. Our military people deserve this.
(selected June 21, 2022)
Bob Ashby, Doran, Va.

To me, the American Flag is a physical representation of the ideals that our Nation was founded upon and expressed in the Declaration of Independence: all men are endowed with certain unalienable rights, including Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Our Flag is a beacon of hope that shines these inherent rights endowed by their Creator to nations and peoples around the world where they are being denied.
Our brave men and women have fought and died under this Flag to help others achieve these rights. What our Flag represents is the envy of those depressed and denied and the bane of those leaders who deny those rights.
With awe and reverence, I honor this flag at every opportunity, standing tall, hat removed, hand over heart and a tear in my eye.
Long may OLD GLORY fly and carry this message around the world!
(selected June 16, 2022)
Frank Lewis, Rupert, W.Va.

What the flag means to me is freedom of religion.
What the flag means to me is equal rights no matter race, creed or national origin.
What the flag means to me is equal rights for men and women.
What the flag means to me is equal rights for the rich and poor.
What the flag means to me is the right to a jury trial.
What the flag means to me is a sign we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
What the flag means to me is love by our soldiers to risk their lives so that we can have all our rights and that no country can dictate us.
What the flag means to me is you can express who you are so long as you abide by the law.
What the flag means to me is government by the people, for the people and justice for all.
What the flag means to me is the states of America stand united.
What the flag means to me is pride in God, our sacrificing soldiers, our fellow men and our country.
(selected June 13, 2022)
Wanda S. Brown, Pounding Mill, Va.

Our flag is a symbol of freedom. It is there to remind us of what our country has been threw as a nation. It represent every man and woman that has fought and died to ensure our freedom.
It reminds me everyday to be proud to live in a country where we have the Freedom to make our own choices. Freedom to stand up for what we believe in, and the freedom to be whatever we choose to be.
There are so many time our courageous men and women has had to stand and fight to protect our freedoms oh glory alway waving giving us hope. Hope for a better tomorrow for our children for our grandchildren.I will always stand for our flag to honor those who have fought and those who have died to protect these freedoms. I will always have the ultimate respect and honor for our veterans who have stood up to protect this great nation! To ensure we can have life , liberty and the persuit of happiness, thanks to all their sacrifices. God bless America and god bless all those who serve. You are the backbone of this great nation!
(selected June 9, 2022)
Judy Deel, Springville

The flag is special to me. I was born here in the usa, I have been shown what freedom means. I have learned about the history and realize that many have died for this one flag. I honor the flag everyday, When I see our flag blowing in the wind, I think and pray for those who died and those who were affected by the wars. I think about the changes that are happening and the changes that did happen in our country. It shines for me and for others.
This flag is more than a piece of cloth. It’s more than just red, white, and blue. It is a comfort and wake up call to what our country means. I can have the ability to wake up and go to work and feel protected and valued. The flag means safety to me, knowing that we are protected by many. The flag means strength to me, we are a strong force. The flag has thirteen stripes and fifty stars. The stripes represent the original thirteen colonies and the stars represent the fifty states.
I value the flag greatly and I honor it every day and I hope that you will to.
(selected June 6, 2022)
Donnie Goodman, Raven

Written By : John D. Hughes. Jr.
“I Am The American Flag”
I am the Red White and Blue
I have seen things and been places
Few dare to go
Through war and peace I’ve flew,
I have been the victor and I’ve paid the toll.
I’ve stormed the beaches of distant shores
And held my head up high.
And there has been times up on that pole
I thought all I stood for would die.
I’ve seen my brothers fight for me
And vow to never retreat.
And as they died on the battlefield
At home I’m burnt in the street.
I’ve been ripped and torn and desecrated
In countries I’ve help to free.
But I’ve never turned my back on them
In there time of need.
I fell in Pearl Harbor
December 7th on battle ship row
But my brothers took their vengeance
As Japan held there head low.
I was with my brothers in Korea and Vietnam
And I felt their pain
I felt the trembling arms of mothers
That would never see their sons again.
And now they have enraged me
They have killed what I’ve died for.
They killed the ones that I protect
To who’s liberties I have been swore.
September 11th 2001
The day my innocence died
My country stood and saluted me
My country stood and cried
But we shall overcome the darkest days
And some are yet to come .
The blood of the innocent is in my threads
Threads that will never come undone.
(selected June 2, 2022)
Valerie Woosley

What does the United States of America flag mean to me? The flag to me is a symbol of our freedom and the soldiers that protected us to give us this freedom. From the red and white stripes, to the stars, to the 13 folds, it shows us we are free. The flag shows us of all of the soldiers we have lost in battle, to all of the soldiers left to fight and protect our country. It shows us of all of the fathers, daughters, wives and sons serving to protect us, the United States of America. It shows us the selfless actions these people have chosen to take, to become soldiers to protect the Unites States of America. The flag is more than just a flag, it means so much more. It reminds us of all of the blood, sweat, tears and loss it has taken to keep this country free. It reminds us of all of the lives lost and all of the lives still fighting. I hope that whenever someone sees a U.S. flag they are reminded of all of this.
This is what the flag means to me.
(selected June 1, 2022)
Abriahna Weikle, Union

What does the flag mean to me? The flag means courage and hope when all seems bleak and doomed. All the way back to the ongoing war of 1812 when Francis Scott Key penned our anthem, Old Glory waved proudly “in the dawn’s early light” despite the fierce battle that looked like America would be defeated in Baltimore Harbor.
The strength and determination are the fibers of every American and are embodied in the glorious threads of Old Glory. Despite being bullet-riddled and torn by torrential winds, the flag on the first invading U.S. naval ship to lead the storming of Normandy during D-Day, survived the onslaught of enemy fire, once again demonstrating the strength and courage of America will not falter. On 9/11, three New York firefighters defiantly raised the flag directly after one of the most devastating attacks on home soil.
The flag means triumph over evil. The flag means the strength, courage, and spirit of America will prevail even at the utmost point of adversity, pain, and tragedy.
Those bold red stripes of the flag mean the sacrifice of our dedicated troops who shed their blood to give us the freedom to live our lives the way that mirrors our values, beliefs, and goals. The flag means a beacon of light and hope in the world even when times are dark and trying. The flag means never giving up on that which is right and good. The flag means having the courage to stand up even when getting knocked down and fighting for that which is worth fighting for. Time after time, America has done that. America will continue to be a strong, role model, a radiant beam of light with our flag flying high during good times and bad, reminding all of the principles and tenacity set forth by our forefathers and carried on by every American. God bless America, and thank you to those who laid down their lives to allow us to be free to fly our flag in all of its glory.
(selected May 30, 2022)
Diana Upton of Princeton

Read: What the Flag Means to Me Essays

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