Beloved Americans - I am your Flag and I’m doing fine. Lately though, I’m concerned about you - how are you doing?

I have listened and watched for a while now as you have debated my treatment. I would like to respectfully express my thoughts.

As you may recall, I was conceived out of protest by people fighting oppression and injustice, so I am no stranger to controversy. I have been bombed, burned, and attacked in many ways over the years. I am the one who covers the caskets of your defenders and fallen leaders. What makes me who I am are the values I stand for, the values you have entrusted me to symbolize - truth, justice, unity, equality and freedom. I genuinely do not mind the kneeling - remember I’m in your places of worship so I see it all the time.

It’s the values that I look for - are you trying to make a more perfect union with your protest, or do you salute me while allowing bias and bondage to continue? Are you truly coming together where I am on

display, or am I being used as a wedge to divide? Always remember that I fly proudly for all Americans - no party lines, colors, or any other qualifiers.

So again America, please don’t worry about me - I’m still your Flag and absolutely doing fine. Lately though, I really am concerned about you - how are you doing?

John Cross

Spokane