[NAVA1974]

Those who view the flag of the US as just "a piece of cloth" are forgetting thier history. The flag became more than just a symbol or marker during the American Civil War - The flag not only symbolized the ideals for which the soldiers were fighting, it became a living thing (not just my words, but the words of those who fought for it) that was worth sacrificing one's life for. There are countless instances where flag bearers were wounded or killed, and a comrade would step up and proudly carry the regimental flag even though it meant near certain death. Nowadays we say that our armed forces fight for the things the flag symbolizes, not the flag itself. And I suppose that is true since flags do not lead them into battle anymore. Yes, the flag has evolved, even to the point of symbolizing the right to desecrate it in the name of freedom of speech.