Above the Storm, Flag Flies High

Flag Day was always supposed to be a time to honor Old Glory, but with the Stars and Stripes at the center of a political firestorm, the banner itself has become a symbol of an intense national debate.

And with the Supreme Court ruling that Congress cannot make it a crime to burn the flag, defenders are rallying this Flag Day to protect their beloved standard.

“We think it’s disgusting,” said Ed Kearns, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Mission Viejo. “I’m a patriot, and I’ve seen my buddies die for this flag. I think the Bill of Rights should be defended. Desecrating the flag is not a right, it’s a disgrace.”

At Mission Viejo and at other VFW posts and offices of the Elks Lodge and the American Legion, ceremonies are being held to celebrate Flag Day, which officially is today.

Kearns said many veterans were emotional during ceremonies that were held at the post Tuesday.

“There was a lot of patriotism shown,” Kearns said. “We had almost 200 people there singing the National Anthem and a few shed tears were shared.”

Harvey Tallmon, a member of the Garden Grove VFW post, also spoke out against the Supreme Court ruling.

“I fought three wars because of that damned flag and I kind of like it,” Tallmon said. “On Flag Day, I’ll be flying my flag in my front yard, that’s for sure.”

Members of the Buena Parks Elks Lodge held a Flag Day ceremony Wednesday evening and said Flag Day means more now than ever before.

“There’s more significance this year, a more acute awareness of our flag,” said Joe Kronsteiner, a Leading Knight in the club. “There’s a lot of talk in the lodge and people don’t like the Supreme Court ruling at all. They’re not screaming fanatics about it, but they do support a constitutional amendment against flag burning.

“I personally feel very bad about those flag-burning incidents and the court ruling. Our flag is our national emblem, something to rally around, and I think people should pay more respect to it. It’s not there to be maligned.”

Members of the Elks Lodge in Orange said they have “taken a definite stand” against flag burning and reiterated their feeling during a ceremony held Wednesday.

“All of our members feel the American flag is a sacred emblem and should be treated as such,” said Dick Arend, exalted ruler of the lodge.

David Moulton, commander of the American Legion post in Orange, said his organization was also “burned up” over the ruling.

“Being a serviceman, you’re there to defend the flag,” Moulton said. “To have people who want to abuse it, that just seems wrong to me. The only time a flag should be burned is at an authorized disposal ceremony.”

Patriotic service organizations aren’t the only ones formally celebrating Flag Day this week. Several schools will also be paying tribute to the American flag. One such ceremony will take place today at Montevideo Elementary School in Mission Viejo at 9:30 a.m.