The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

One year ago, the title of this column was, "The flag is more than a fashion statement." In it, I wrote about the history of our great flag and my concern that it is trivialized when its image is seemingly used everywhere on everyday items. My worry seems trivial now. One year later, we see our glorious flag set on fire, ripped apart, and desecrated in vulgar ways – by American citizens on American soil.

This Fourth of July, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in America. The asphyxiation of George Floyd, a black man at the hands of a corrupt white cop, triggered protests that have bee...