When I graduated from high school, I did not have the opportunity to attend college, instead my background led me to helping people, helping my country. Joining the military was important to me at that time, mainly because we had just withdrawn ourselves from a terrible war and I wanted to keep our country strong. I was willing to defend her, in case we were called into battle again. The flag is a very important symbol to me. I don’t only look at it as a piece of cloth flying in the wind, but a measurement of how important this country is to me and my fellow Americans. I stand proudly and face our flag with due diligence, mainly because I followed in our fathers’ footsteps to keep her flying and to defend her with all my might. *Deceased