Show Respect For The Flag

To the Editor:

As a student at Newtown High School, every day during our second period class, I, along with all the other students of the school, hear the daily announcements. At the end of these we are requested to “please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and remain standing for a moment of silence.”

At this time, in theory, the entire school stands and in the words all of us know so well, thank our country and all those who keep us safe, as well as showing our respect towards the American flag and what it stands for. Recently, however, I noticed another student in one of my classes was lacking in this respect by wearing his hat while he was saying the Pledge of Allegiance. After the Pledge was over, I respectfully asked him to remove his hat during future times he said the pledge. At this point I was reprimanded by my teacher, who said that no one was required to say the Pledge or remove hats during it. I did not argue the point at that time, however since then it has angered me every time I see someone wearing a hat while offering his (dis)respects to the American flag.

It is time for some people to stop and think about what the flag represents. Doesn’t anyone realize that the red stripes in the flag stand for the blood shed by Americans defending their country? If there is any time when people should respect the flag, it is now. We have soldiers fighting and dying to prevent another attack on American soil. Not only that, but think about all of our ancestors that immigrated to America to seek a better way of life. They were so pleased with what they found that they were willing to fight to protect it. The Revolutionary War, the French and Indian War, the War of 1812, the Spanish-American War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War. Doesn’t anyone remember the sacrifices made then?

If someone is truly atheist, then I respect his decision not to partake in the Pledge of Allegiance. However, if your only reason to keep your hat on during the Pledge is that you are too lazy to take it off or you really like that particular hat, it is time for a reality check. Look back in you ancestry, most likely you will find someone in you family who died for the United States. Even if that is not the case, there is probably one of your classmates that you might be insulting by not showing respect for their family member that died. So the next time someone asks you to join in the Pledge of Allegiance, first remove your hat, and then speak those great words loud and clear: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.” God Bless America!

A proud American citizen,

Ethan Reed

2 Lazybrook Road, Newtown                                      March 13, 2005