Editorial: Vandalism reminds us of Old Glory’s enduring meaning
Let us rededicate ourselves to the lofty ideals the American flag stands for.
Vietnam veteran Eddie Bowers raises a new American flag to replace one that was burned by an unknown suspect(s). Photo by Marty Cheek
This editorial is the opinion of Gilroy Life
The despicable act of vandalism against the Veterans Memorial in downtown Morgan Hill Sunday June 2 was an affront to our community and the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Disturbing many of the South Valley’s residents, the American flag and the Prisoner of War flag adorning the memorial, the very symbol of the ideals those veterans gave their lives for, were callously burned.
Eddie Bowers, a U.S. Army veteran who fought in Vietnam, organizes the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day commemorations at the site. He told us that before Memorial Day last month, he discovered someone stole all the flags off the pole as well as the flag that hangs over the monument. They also bent the pole.
“I just came out the next morning and I took care of it,” he said. “Just like it was in Vietnam, I got shot down and I’d get on another helicopter. That’s what I’m doing here. I get back up and do it again.”
Photo courtesy Morgan Hill Community Group on Facebook
A plaque listing the names of those who perished in wars was scorched June 2.
Sunday June 2, Bowers was driving through downtown and noticed the American flag on the memorial was hanging low. He saw it had been burned. It hung against the bronze plaque on the pole bearing the names of our hometown heroes who perished defending the freedoms Americans hold dear, covering it with ash. As a veteran, Bowers has a special understanding of how insulting the act of vandalizing the American flag can be to the men and women who have served in the military.
The Veterans Memorial bronze plaque holding the names of Morgan Hill residents who died in military service to their country was scorched when the burning flag rested on it. The cable used to raise the flag was also scorched.
“These men and women go out to make a peaceful country,” Bowers said as he used pliers to peel off the char covering the cable so he could replace the flags. “We have the American dream. Then you have people who want to go out and destroy all that. I think the real Americans are stronger than they think. We’ll rise again.”
Indeed, it’s the story of America. Like the flag at the Morgan Hill Veterans Memorial, we’ll rise again. As we approach Independence Day on July 4, this incident should give us all pause to reflect on the profound meaning of the American flag and the values it represents. For nearly 250 years, the Stars and Stripes has served as a unifying emblem for all Americans, regardless of race, religion, or political persuasion. The red stripes symbolize hardiness and valor, the white stripes signify purity and innocence, and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice. Together, the colors and patterns of Old Glory tell the story of our nation’s founding principles: freedom, equality, and opportunity for all.
For our veterans and active-duty military, the flag holds especially deep significance. It is the banner they rallied around and drew strength from in times of struggle and sacrifice. At military funerals, the flag is a final tribute to a life given in noble service to country. Whenever and wherever the flag flies, it is a poignant reminder of all those who have defended it.
Burning or desecrating the American flag is a reprehensible act outside of very limited contexts. While our Constitution protects the burning of the flag as free speech, that does not make it any less offensive or disrespectful, especially to our veterans. The same applies to flying the flag upside down when there is no genuine distress or danger, as was done recently at the home of a Supreme Court Justice in an apparent political statement. The flag should transcend partisanship.
This Fourth of July, let us rededicate ourselves to the lofty ideals the American flag stands for. Let us honor the profound sacrifices it represents. May the Stars and Stripes forever wave over a nation united in reverence of the liberties our veterans have secured for us. And may the memorials in Gilroy and Morgan Hill stand as enduring tributes to those in our South Valley community who gave their lives for those liberties under that same glorious flag.
