As a veteran, I have two simultaneous emotions.  

The first is their First Amendment right to do so.  

The second is the ignorance of each individual who shows disrespect for the flag so many have fought and died to preserve.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution “prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, ensuring that there is no prohibition on the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances.”

The individuals kneeling have the right to do so, but at the same time the individuals who oppose that action have the right to express that point of view regardless of who they are.  

Over the last decade or so our nation has become more divided than I’ve ever seen.  

I believe we are at a critical tipping point in our nation’s history where opposing viewpoints are declared “hate speech” or we need a “safe zone” where no opposing viewpoints are allowed.  

To condone this and continue down this path will surely put us on the road to an authoritarian style of government where opposing speech, in any form, is not allowed.  

We have started down a road to erase or change our history.  At the same time we are trying to make political points by protesting our National Anthem.  

Which national symbol, shrine, monument or document is next?

Our nation has problems that need to be solved, but the path this issue is taking needs to be separated from the National Anthem.

If you want to protest an issue, do so at a separate location in a peaceful manner, where you have the opportunity to address the issues and not in a manner that shows a distinct lack of respect for our nation and the sacrifices of all who have served to guarantee your right to speak. Everyone needs to realize there are consequences, both good and bad, for expressing your opinion.  

The National Anthem should bring about unity, not divisiveness.  To paraphrase an old saying, “if you don’t study history, you’re doomed to repeat it.”

The lack of respect for the U.S. flag, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance has grown throughout our nation.  

For many years, as I participated in various patriotic events, I’ve seen this first hand.  

People very seldom salute the flag as it passes them in a parade.  

The same applies to the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.  

As disturbing as it might sound, I have seen veterans turn their back on the flag as it passed them so they wouldn’t have to salute.  

They have the right to do these things, but they need to remember that our youth are watching.  What kind of example are you setting?

Another sign of disrespect I often see are flags flown at night without a light or flown when they are in shreds.  

We are being very deficient in teaching our youth, and a lot of our adults, about respect for our flag.  

There are “entertainers” who cut a hole in a flag and wear it as a poncho. How disrespectful can you get?  Showing respect for the flag is showing respect for the concept of a free nation, the only one like it in history whose motto is e pluribus unum, “out of many, one.”

As a military retiree, I find the recent protests very disturbing.  

Most of my military service was spent flying as a crewmember on transport aircraft.  

As cargo, I’ve carried everything from the POTUS limousines to hold baggage for our troops.  I’ve carried refugees from Saigon, relief supplies to natural disaster victims and a lot of Med-Evac missions.  

But the most important cargo I ever carried were the flag draped caskets of our fallen heroes.  These were individuals who paid the ultimate price to protect the First Amendment for us.  

I can’t, in good conscience, support any group or organization that would allow such disrespect to our National Anthem or flag to occur.  

I don’t have to watch their disrespect nor buy the products their sponsors promote.  

That’s my First Amendment right.

As I said before, they have the right to do it, but there are consequences for those actions.

My final thoughts are essentially this: I was born under this flag, I served our nation under this flag and my casket will be draped with this flag.

C.K.“Ken” Wilson

MSgt. USAF (ret.)

Roanoke Rapids