I even understand that there are a good chunk of you wishing you lived somewhere else.
What I will not stand for, is an intolerance to tomorrow's holiday.
Scattered through the media, I keep reading about racism, misogyny, homophobia, etc. With all of this, is a somehow attached sentiment that America and all Americans are to blame for this. This blame insinuates that the flag and anthem that represent this country somehow created this political mess. No matter how this all came to be, I want you all to do one thing:
COOL IT TOMORROW.
Tomorrow is the day that we remember the people who fought for the values in the Constitution, regardless of who was president. Tomorrow, we remember the men who took Iwo Jima not for Harry Truman, but for freedom. Tomorrow, we thank the soldiers and sailors that stormed the beaches of Normandy, not for FDR, but for the greater good. Tomorrow, we remember the men who fought in the Battle of Hamburger Hill, not for their personal beliefs and most certainly not for Richard Nixon, but because freedom rang and they and answered the call. Tomorrow, I will continue to mourn a friend who died while serving the country in the US Air Force. Tomorrow, your hands should not have time to point fingers, for they should be too busy shaking hands of the ultimate patriots in thanksgiving for their sacrifices.
All I ask is to respect the flag and those who have served it tomorrow. I would rather we leave the flag as well as our servicemen and servicewomen out of this political nightmare, but I know when I am asking for too much. Tomorrow, let's remember that this nation is lucky to have made it this far, and I am proud of the people who have ensured that. Tomorrow, let's remember that while we have free speech, we shouldn't use it to bash the people who fought for that freedom on our behalf.
God bless our service men and women and all of our veterans!