The ultimate symbol of liberty and opportunity, we celebrate and honor our American flag each year on June 14 with Flag Day. Citizen patriots across the nation proudly display our flag and pause to reflect on the many struggles that Old Glory has seen since she was first unfurled.

Today, more than ever, it is essential to remember what our flag represents.

She has come under assault in unthinkable ways over the last several decades. Although widely assailed by those threatened by the freedoms she represents, she is recognized across the globe as a symbol of liberty and human worth.

This Flag Day, June 14, 2020, America is in turmoil. There are numerous factions dedicated to disparaging her and the patriots who love her. These times will pass as they have before, but not without the efforts and voices of every day patriotic American citizens. America is a nation founded on the hopes and dreams of its citizens. We must jealously guard those freedoms against all assailants, both foreign and domestic. 

America is the People's nation and our flag the People's standard.

The American experiment 

There are challenges we face today that will likely be with us for some time to come. As a nation, as a people, it is critical that we are clear about what America and our flag mean to each of us.

If we want to continue this grand experiment, each of us must be ready to take on all the challenges.

We must, therefore, be clear in our thinking and confident in our patriotic positions. The Left, the anarchist, and the socialists have well-rehearsed and strategic arguments to twist reality and shape a subversive narrative.

Too often, conservative patriots are reluctant to make a scene or force a reaction when confronted with these insurgent forces. It is not in our nature to quiet others' opinions or confront them openly.

But the time has come to change that.

It is time for all red-blooded Americans to reaffirm their allegiance to our nation and our flag.

It is not time to keep silent, bend the knee, or prostrate ourselves before anyone. 

The sad reality of today's world is that America and her freedoms are under assault from every direction. Only the awakening of the American people can protect them from tyranny and preserve their God-given rights and liberties.

The United States is, after all, a nation for, of, and by the people.

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What does our flag mean to you?

Those who have served our nation in the military are especially proud and protective of Old Glory. They have fought and died, watched their fellow warriors struggle and pass, they have seen the best of America's patriots as no one else can.

We owe the freedoms and privileges we have today to those who have bled and died around the world to protect those liberties. Generation after generation, young Americans have risked all for our future.

Here is what some veterans have to say about what our flag means to them:

• A Way of Life that many will never experience, and too many forget how precious it is. 

• The best way I can describe what the flag means to me is to have every American close their eyes and really listen to Lee Greenwood's song, God Bless the USA. 

• The American flag represents what I spent four years of my life doing: protecting that flag and our way of life. It means home to me, so protecting our flag means protecting my home.

Reflect on what these brave Americans are saying, consider the truth of these statements and what they mean to you. Can you close your eyes and even come close to appreciating how deeply their patriotism runs? 

Have the events of the day and the ongoing assault on our freedoms caused you to become cynical and waiver in your patriotic zeal? It's understandable if it has, it seems to be more and more challenging to find support for patriotic principles and values.

It's up to you and me to amplify and magnify our passion and commitment to the founding principles of America.

So, this Flag Day, June 14, 2020, set aside some time to consider what has been said here. Take a close look at your life and think about what living in America as a free American means to you.

What have you done to help protect and preserve this grand experiment?

Have you exercised your patriotic duties in civic involvement and informed voting?

What does the flag mean to you?

Does it represent a free ride in a free society or a call to serve and protect this great nation; however you might?

Not everyone can be a soldier in battle, but each of us can be a soldier in the struggle to keep America free.

Now is the time, your time; what does our flag, our nation and our freedom mean to you?