Let’s get this straight: I am an American veteran, I served during Viet Nam, had a shipmate killed in action, spent a third of an active duty Navy career at sea, away from family, born in Columbus Ohio of a father who served in WWII and Korea and for an additional twenty years and rests in Arlington National Cemetary. I am a registered Republican, have belonged to the NRA, pay my taxes, read, believe, and defend the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the United States Constitution. And, Venessa Hicks’ photograph
MAKES ME PROUD! The flag as a cradle is the perfect illustration of this country as the cradle of liberty. It illustrates and honors the sacrifice and service that Vanessa Hicks, a fellow veteran, I, my family, have made and the Clevenger family is making to defend what this photograph so reverently illustrates.
I stand up, not in protest, but to salute Vanessa Hicks and the Clevenger Family.
Raymond Hasson, QMC (SS)
United States Navy (Ret)
Haiku Journey 
Please may I reblog this.
LikeLike
Thanks to you, and your family, for living a life of service!
Like you, I was flummoxed when I read that people were outraged about this. I honestly think there are people out there who will do anything to stop the United States flag from being part of the essence of daily life in this country. Schools have banned shirts with the flag image, subdivisions ban flying of the flag, and now this. I’m glad you posted this.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Janine, thanks very much for commenting and especially for your support.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m a Navy Veteran too and the first thing that came to mind when i saw the photo is ‘what is the uproar?’ The flag is not being burned or dropped on the ground and I think the best perception of the picture is as you stated,an illustration of this country as a ‘cradle of liberty’!. beautifully stated and I agree whole heartedly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It’s occasionally nice to know that you’re not the only one who…!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just want to say THANK YOU for serving and protecting our country…soldiers sacrifice so much and recieve so little compensation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, Trista. Thank you for taking the freedom we’ve defended using it to live your life to the fullest and paying it forward by being all that you can be. It is our honor to serve.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on DOMESTICATED MOMSTER.
LikeLike