I love our American flag. I fly it proudly. To me, it stands for everything I love about our country. It stands for our freedoms, the rule of law and the principle that we are all created equal. It stands for all the things we Americans — divided as we may be — still love and share: our music, our sports, our vast and beautiful country. When our Olympic medal winners wave our flag, I share in their joy. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s beautiful American flag flying in the breeze above the Glenn Highway reminds me of the sacrifices so many Americans have made, and are making, to preserve our freedoms.
It saddens me when Americans disrespect our flag — whether they be the flag-burning anti-war protesters of my generation or today’s so-called “Stop the Steal” protesters who fly the flag upside down.
It’s their right — our flag also stands for their freedom to disrespect it. But I wish they could find a less offensive way to express their opinions.
So I was saddened to learn that Supreme Court Justice Alito flew our American flag upside down at his home. We should all be saddened — and disappointed.
— Gunnar Knapp
Anchorage
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