A reflection on the profound connection between our nation's symbol and the men and women who defend it
When you see the American flag flying proudly, what do you feel? For most Americans, it evokes patriotism, freedom, and pride. But for veterans and service members, it represents something deeper—something only truly understood by those who’ve taken the oath.
As a company proudly serving the St. Louis community and working with veteran groups like The Kaufman Fund and the St. Louis Special Needs Color Guard, Baldwin Priesmeyer has seen the powerful bond between the flag and those who serve. Here's what we’ve learned.
The Symbol of Everything They Fight For
When asked about what the American flag means to him, one U.S. Army veteran put it simply yet powerfully: "Our flag is the symbol of the things we as Americans hold in our hearts and minds. The power to guard and protect loved ones, homes, beliefs, and Americans in general; deserving or not."
This statement captures something essential about the military relationship with the flag. For service members, the flag isn't just a piece of cloth with stars and stripes – it's the physical embodiment of everything they've sworn to protect. Every family back home, every constitutional right, every freedom we take for granted – all of it is represented in those colors.
A Constant Presence in Service
For those who serve, the flag is a constant companion. It's there at morning reveille and evening retreat. It's sewn onto their uniforms, displayed in their barracks, and flies over their bases around the world. In combat zones, it serves as a reminder of home and the values they're fighting to preserve.
The flag follows service members through their entire military journey – from the moment they raise their right hand to take the oath of enlistment, through basic training, deployments, and ultimately to their final salute. It's present at service member’s promotion ceremonies, change of command events, and sadly, at military funerals where it's folded with precision and presented to grieving families.
The Colors That Carry Meaning
The red, white, and blue of our flag hold special significance for military personnel. Red represents the valor and sacrifice of those who have served – the blood spilled by brave men and women throughout our nation's history. White symbolizes the purity of the cause they serve and the innocence they protect. Blue represents the justice and perseverance that guide their mission.
These aren't just abstract concepts to service members. Their lived experiences. They've seen the valor represented by red in the actions of their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines. They've witnessed the purity of white in the faces of children in foreign lands who look to American forces for protection. They've embodied the justice of blue in their commitment to doing what's right, even when it's difficult.
More Than a Symbol – A Sacred Trust
For veterans and active-duty personnel, the flag represents a sacred trust between themselves and the American people. When they see the flag, they're reminded of their oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." This isn't just words on paper – it's a commitment that shapes their entire worldview.
This trust extends beyond their time in service. Veterans carry this connection with them throughout their lives, which is why proper flag etiquette and respectful display matter so deeply to them. When they see a flag displayed incorrectly or treated carelessly, it's not just a breach of protocol – it's a sign of disrespect for everything they've sacrificed to protect.
The Flag as a Bridge Between Service and Home
For deployed service members, the flag serves as a bridge between their current reality and the home they're protecting. In remote outposts, on naval vessels, and in forward operating bases around the world, the American flag flying overhead connects them to their families, their communities, and their country.
Many veterans describe the emotional impact of seeing the flag after returning from deployment. After months or years away from home, that first glimpse of the Stars and Stripes on American soil represents safety, completion of mission, and reunion with loved ones. It's a moment that many carry with them for the rest of their lives.
The Weight of Folded Flags
Perhaps nowhere is the flag's meaning more profound than in military funeral ceremonies. The careful, precise folding of the flag that covered a service member's casket represents the final honor rendered to someone who gave everything for their country. Each fold has meaning, and the presentation of that folded flag to the family represents the nation's gratitude for their loved one's service.
For veterans attending these ceremonies, watching the flag being folded and presented is a reminder of their own mortality and the seriousness of their commitment. It's also a promise – that if they make the ultimate sacrifice, their service will be remembered and honored.
A Living Symbol of Hope and Unity
Despite the challenges and divisions our country faces, the flag remains a unifying symbol for those who serve. It represents the ideals they believe in – freedom, justice, equality, and opportunity. Even when reality falls short of these ideals, the flag represents the ongoing mission to create a more perfect union.
For service members, the flag is a symbol of hope – hope that their sacrifices matter, hope that their service makes a difference, and hope that future generations will inherit a better, safer world. It's also a symbol of unity, reminding them that despite their different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences, they're all part of something larger than themselves.
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The Responsibility of Civilians
Understanding what the flag means to veterans and active-duty service members should inspire all Americans to treat it with appropriate respect. This doesn't mean blind nationalism or the suppression of legitimate criticism. Rather, it means recognizing that for millions of Americans, the flag represents their deepest commitments and most profound sacrifices.
When we display the flag properly, retire worn flags respectfully, and teach our children about flag etiquette, we're honoring not just a symbol, but the real people who have served under it. We acknowledge their sacrifices and showing gratitude for their service.
Our Commitment at Baldwin Priesmeyer
At Baldwin Priesmeyer, we understand the deep connection between the flag and those who serve. That's why we're committed to providing the highest quality flags and flag services to our community. When we work with organizations like The Kaufman Fund or participate in flag retirement ceremonies with the St. Louis Special Needs Color Guard, we're not just providing a service – we're participating in acts of respect and remembrance.
We also understand that proper flag care and display is about more than following rules – it's about showing respect for the values and sacrifices the flag represents. Whether we're installing a flagpole at a business, repairing a damaged flag, or helping with a ceremonial flag presentation, we approach each task with the seriousness and respect it deserves.
A Call to Remember
As we go about our daily lives, it's easy to take the flag for granted. We see it flying over government buildings, schools, and businesses without giving it much thought. But for veterans and active-duty service members, each flag represents a commitment, a sacrifice, and a promise.
The next time you see the American flag; take a moment to remember what it means to those who have served. Remember the young men and women who left their families to serve in distant lands. Remember the veterans who carry the physical and emotional scars of their service. Remember the families who have lost loved ones in service to our country.
And remember that the freedoms we enjoy – the right to speak freely, to worship as we choose, to pursue our dreams – are protected by those who have sworn to defend the flag and everything it represents.
The American flag is more than stars and stripes. For those who serve, it's a symbol of hope, bravery, unity, and mission. It's a reminder of home, a representation of values, and a promise of freedom. It deserves our respect, our care, and our gratitude – not just as a symbol, but as a tribute to all those who have served under its colors.
At Baldwin Priesmeyer, we're honored to serve the St. Louis community and support our veterans through proper flag care and display. For information about our flag services or to learn more about supporting local veteran organizations, visit baldwinflags.com.
More Than Stars and Stripes: What the American Flag Means to Those Who Serve