I have been riding horses in parades for the last couple of years in the local area, and because we are riding horses, we are normally at the back of the parade. On most occasions, we carry the US Flag, Kansas Flag and many others depending on the occasion.

Recently our organization was the color guard at a parade, and while riding at the front, I noticed how few people were even aware that the US Flag was passing by. Being a veteran this upset me. I wanted to tell people they should be acknowledging the flag, but I stayed quiet because I was carrying the colors.

I have been paying attention now at all of the parades, and there are very few people who acknowledge the flag. I observed this, too, as a bystander. As the colors were presented, I placed my hand over my heart until they passed, but not one person around me followed my lead; instead they continued their conversations.

Some of the people I see along the parade routes are wearing ball caps proclaiming their service to our country, and yet none of them take their hats off when the colors passed by. Have we become so complacent that there is little to no respect for the flag?

Some of these same people post angry messages on Facebook about the pro athletes not standing for the national anthem. What people do not realize is it is not the national anthem that we are standing for but the raising of the flag or posting of the colors. How can you sit and complain about something that you, yourself, are not respecting? What saddens me most are the service men and women who are not showing respect for the flag.

I know that times have changed, but if we do not start teaching our children respect for the flag, why do we even post the colors or play the national anthem? How can we stay strong as a nation when we cannot even come together for something as easy as pausing for the flag as it passes by or standing when the colors are posted at an event?
This may seem very trivial to most, but it saddens me. I have had many family members (past and present) along with so many friends and their family members serve our country. My heart breaks for them, to think that they gave up their time, and some even sacrificed their lives, to provide the freedom that we have, and it seems that no one respects that.

What can we do? How do we start the change? This is my first step. Maybe some people are not even aware that the flag passed by, so perhaps this letter will make them watch for the colors the next time they are at a parade. Maybe they in turn will teach their children to have that small pause before running out to find the candy thrown out from the closest float.

Sincerely
Renee Nichols