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Kathi Zimpleman's avatar

Thank you, Christie, for another very thoughtful reflection on what it means to be a thoughtful and engaged citizen. You are a very good example of both.

Thank you for reminding us of us of our journey with our Flag that begins with the Pledge of Allegiance. Those are sweet memories.

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Sue Denny's avatar

Standing on a U. S. Army reviewing stand is when everything I'd learned in school truly became mine. Ten years as a military wife, with certain requirements, never felt as a chore. It was always a way to show respect, love of country and often heart stopping and always with tears.

Christie, I always appreciate your words. Thank you for sharing them.

Good luck with 'indivisual

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Suzanna de Baca's avatar

Thank you for this reflection, Christie. Indivisible is hard to say, and it is being challenged in many ways now as well. I appreciated you sharing your memories of 9/11. As someone who lived in NYC and was there that day, the imagery of the flag and what it stands for is even more profound.

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Pat's avatar

Thank you for the excellent commentary on our flag and what it means.

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Matt Russell's avatar

I played Taps and read poems and speeches at the cemetery in Anita on Memorial Days throughout junior high and high school. Lots of my fellow Spartans volunteered for this community event. The American Legion in Anita puts out a huge number of flags throughout the cemetery every Memorial Day weekend. For me that sense of community, history, remembering those who have died and leaning into the future grounded in our values is what the American Flag means to me. Thanks for sharing this invitation to consider our flag going into an incredibly important Flag Day this Saturday.

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Christie Vilsack's avatar

Thanks for considering my column as an invitation to reflect on your own journey to understand what our flag stands for. I hope others will share with readers but also with the young people in their lives.

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