Kneeling Before the Flag: An Open Letter

Dear Old Glory,

I come before you now defeated, wounded, and ashamed. Despite these feelings, I still find myself in tremendous awe when I see you and hear the anthem dedicated to you. You fly so high and with such strength and perseverance! I see others standing tall before you, eyes fixed upon you with pride on their faces and passion in their hearts. However, why can’t I shake this feeling that we’ve let you down?

From the surface, I can see your strength and power. If I don’t look too hard or for too long, I might even be able to convince myself that the war is over and the quest for freedom is no more because it appears that we have arrived. As much as I truly wish it were so, and that peace and freedom is a reality for all your people, I come before you now on bended knee bearing bad news.

As I stood on the hilltops taking in the skyline, everything looked so peaceful. As I watched the sun burn up the sky behind enormous buildings and glorious mountains, I could feel that same sense of pride for my country that I often see in the eyes of my fellow countrymen. But as I peered through my scope and looked deeper between the buildings and into the heart of this land, I saw what I didn’t want to see — war, desolation, desperation.

I kneel before you now because I lack the strength to stand. As I look around this beautiful…