I am an American Airman
My mission is to fly, fight, and win
I am faithful to a proud heritage
A tradition of honor
And a legacy of valor.

I am an American Airman
Guardian of freedom and justice
My nation’s sword and shield
Its sentry and avenger
I defend my country with my life.

I am an American Airman
Wingman, leader, warrior
I will never leave an Airman behind
I will never falter

And I will not fail.

This is my creed. The flag that flies over that creed is the flag of the nation that I defend with my life. That flag is stained red with the blood of my brothers; and for their sacrifice, it belongs to them. It is my flag.

But it isn’t theirs.

A flag is a symbol — by itself, it means nothing. By itself, it’s just a piece of cloth. But this flag, the American flag, is a symbol of my home. It is a symbol of the people — not collectively, but individuals — who have made this nation great. It belongs to no one person alone, but to every American who contributes to the success and security of America.

Not to those who deface it.

The flag belongs to people who serve this country, not in a collective, but as a team of individuals. Not just those who are in the military or intelligence services; but also to those who go to work in the private sector, earning money and living honest lives. My flag belongs to them, too.

It doesn’t belong to people who burn the flag.

The flag represents the deepest yearnings of people the world over to stand tall, proud, and breathe free air. It represents the desire of Cubans — who will float on desks as far as they can, trying to get to the Everglades — to be Americans. It represents individuals from Kandahar to Kuwait to Kansas who are willing to work in, argue for, disagree with, worship in, buy from, sell to, trade in, borrow from, love, live, die, and be buried in America.

It doesn’t represent people who think that sort of thing is out of style.

I am an American Airman. But before that, I am an American. And the flag represents me.

I would give my life for the right of the members of the DNC to say things that drive me up a wall. And that flag that they desecrate…represents me.

That’s not free speech. That is the members of the DNC spitting in my face. And while it may be protected, it’s protected by me.

I don’t want you to thank me when you see me in the airport. I want you to stop and think, next time you attack the things I bleed to defend.

Because I might not always. And then, they will dream of a time when Americans were free.