I love the Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance (minus 2 words jammed into it during the Red Scare in the 1950s).
I posted an image of a waving flag for my online students every single morning as the overhead announcements recited the pledge.
I'm sorry this doesn't mesh with the caricature of me here.
I am with you on the pledge.
I love the Star Spangled Banner. I love that it can stand for what you want it to. It's open and perfect in that way. It can stand for those who gave their lives, and those who continue to sacrifice them. It can stand for a nation as a beacon of hope presently, and for what it can still be.
To me the Pledge of Allegiance has always been a little stomach churning. Like if we saw a bunch of North Koreans or ISIS pledging blind devotion to an idol like that, it would be used as an argument against them. I know Ann Arbor is liberal, but I never once said it before school started, even back in the 80s. I was shocked when I got to college and discovered I was the only one
I am with you on the pledge. Outside our Catholic school in 1st grade we all stood at attention outdoors and said the pledge, every morning before school.
I could not in 1st grade understand why we were pledging allegiance, to a flag. Later in my childhood "Capture the Flag" was a really cool "game."
That said, my great great grandfather fought for the Union. My grandmother told me about him. I didn't understand she was saying something about the pride she had in her grandfather, but I understand it now.
We have other military veterans in my family including my Great Uncle Marvin who gave his life in WW II b4 I was born. That is something I understand, as my grandfather, grandmother and dad, were traumatized by the loss.
Grandma's grandpa is buried here. I can't figure out how to post video.
https://video-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t42.1790-2/194198569_4051465691627643_3921264389729889226_n.mp4?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=985c63&efg=eyJ2ZW5jb2RlX3RhZyI6InN2ZV9zZCJ9&_nc_ohc=87J1wyZfaboAX_dY4mf&_nc_rml=0&_nc_ht=video-ort2-2.xx&oh=08e974a54cce3d0b404232c93a247802&oe=60C8598E
