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To the Editor:
Flag Day is June 14, the anniversary of the adoption in 1777 of the national flag of the U.S.A. The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America’s birthday. However June 14 is our flag’s birthday. Both Presidents Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as National Flag Day. However, it wasn’t until August 3, 1949, that U.S. Congress approved the national observance, and President Truman signed it into law. Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying the Red, White and Blue in front of homes and businesses. Many wear American Flag shirts. I saw one I liked that said, “If this flag offends you I will help you pack!” Many haven’t lived under other flags and don’t know how good they have it or have forgotten our flag has always represented the spirit of liberty and freedom. As acknowledged in the national anthem: “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, and this be our motto, ‘In God is our trust.’” And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave! In the words of colonial flag-maker Betsy Ross, “Our hearts aching, our prayers praying, our flag waving, never forget.” I believe the only reason our American flag is still waving is because of the prayers we are praying.
During the President Trump administration no other flag was allowed on the same pole as the American flag at our embassies around the world. Vice President Pence said the policy was to promote a united American people. Sadly according to Pastor Grider at www.nowtheendbegins.com Biden and his Secretary of State Blinken are allowing the rainbow flag commonly known as the gay pride flag or LGBTQ flag to be flown over our embassies around the world.
In the past Republican U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan introduced a bill, “Only Old Glory Act,” prohibiting any standard besides the American flag from flying at U.S. embassies. The “Only Old Glory Act” couldn’t pass and becoming law since Speaker Nancy Pelosi from San Francisco is controlled by the LGBTQ lobby she wouldn’t let it come to a vote. Rep. Duncan said, “no other flag or symbol can portray our American values better than the American flag.” Rep Ralph Norman agreed and said, “the U.S. Flag is the preeminent symbol of American exceptionalism and should never be used as a prop to promote any agenda or political ideology.”
When I grew up as a child in Elizabethton me and my friends were always reminded that freedom isn’t free and were taught the importance of patriotism and respect for the American flag both at school and church. If you want your children to get the right values and morals you should send them to a Christian church and Vacation Bible School. We also have two great Christian camps — Camp Ta Pa Win Go in Watauga and Doe River Gorge in Hampton. In the Vacation Bible Schools I attended or worked in we always had the pledge of allegiance to the American flag, the pledge of allegiance to the Christian flag and the pledge of allegiance to the Bible — God’s Holy Word! This is the best vacation you can send your children on because it will cost nothing and save you money and could save their soul if they learn how much Jesus loves them and put their trust in Jesus. If you take your children to the beach or Pigeon Forge this summer it will cost you more than ever because gas is more costly than ever!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton