Today is Flag Day. The day that we are asked to remember the meaning of our American flag and everything for which it stands. I was raised by children of Italian immigrants who were tremendously proud to be American, especially my father the vet, who placed small flags around a larger flag on our lawn every flag day. He would “tsk, tsk” about the houses that did not display their flags and was sure to not leave the flags out overnight. As children of immigrants they knew what it meant to be grateful for a prosperous, free country—the land of opportunity that afforded their parents and grandparents a life that they did not know in Italy.

I grew up with a great respect for not just the cloth that hangs on the pole, but for the men and women who died for it, for the liberties we have here that it represents and also for the people who defend it on a daily basis. I try to instill this same respect for Old Glory in my children as my father did in me.

It is fitting that his granddaughter, my thirteen year-old daughter, would be chosen as winner of an essay contest for the city Flag Association on “What the American Flag Means to Me.” She has won other awards and earned accolades this year but this one means the most to me because it means I have done my job in this regard- my oldest child, who is herself the daughter of an immigrant, understands what it means to be American and respect the flag and our country.An excerpt:

"Commemorating those who have risked and lost their lives for our country is also represented through the American flag. As it flows in the wind it takes the strength of our people with it. The flag has cried our country’s tears and has faced the war along with the men and women of our country. It has also been an inspiration for things such as poems, artwork, holidays, and more. It has faced many things throughout the years- showing that our country has survived two world wars and over two hundred years. It shows how we as a nation have survived throughout the years to fight for our freedom- and how we have been victoriously rewarded. The history of the American flag practically tells the story of America itself."

As I watched the veterans’ color guard march with the flag at this ceremony today, proud as can be in their seventies and eighties, I thought about all the immigrants who comprise this country and I wonder if those who have recently arrived realize, what the United States flag represents. It’s fine to be proud of where you were born or where your blood originates, but we must also be proud of the country that welcomed us, our parents, grandparents or those before them. So many Cubans are seen in images waving both the flag of their beloved Cuba and the flag of their adopted country- that is a beautiful sight. There should be more groups like this who appreciate and value our flag while holding their own close to their hearts.

The land of opportunity, home of the free and the brave are what Old Glory represents, and today we should all give it a salute.

God Bless America