Photo by Paul Deaton

This Old Flag

by Larry Hodgden

Nothing better represents the freedoms and liberty we enjoy as Americans than “Old Glory.” In 1776 when George Washington asked Betsy Ross to sew a flag with 13 stars and stripes they could not have foreseen the many changes in its future as, while we added stars for each new state, this flag flew over a nation that was changing as well.

Yankee soldiers died under that flag to preserve the Union and put an end to slavery.  Women marched under that flag for more than 5 decades before they won the right to vote. Black men died under that flag in WWII 20 years before they could sit in the front of the bus. Black men and white men marched side by side and died to gain equal voting rights less than 50 years ago. Change comes slowly, often at great cost, and not without considerable effort and dedication by an inspired group of citizens, but it does happen because the cause is right and just.

In every war our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters have served by our side and died to defend our flag while back home they were treated as second class citizens. Now, thanks to the recent Supreme Court decision, they have the right to marry the person they love and be assured of equal treatment under the law. This 4th of July millions of our fellow citizens and their families can stand a little taller and feel more pride as the flag passes by, because they have won the right to be treated equally by their country.

Ironic isn’t it, that the very people who claim to hold so closely to the U.S. Constitution, are the very ones who stand in the way of “Equal Protection under the law” as guaranteed by the 14th amendment. Why should it be necessary for women, blacks and our LGBT community to continually struggle to be afforded the rights so many of our fellow citizens have fought for and died to protect?

So this July 4th when you stand and hold your hand over your heart as the flag passes by,  remember those who have served and died to preserve our freedom, liberty and rights, and think about those who have been denied these rights.

Larry Hodgden
Tipton, Iowa