My History with the American Flag

 Ahhh, the American Flag - dotted with 50 stars representing states, which are supposed to be 'united'. 

Today, I will share with you my personal history with the American Flag, which I respected until last year. After becoming extra educated and aware of what a goddamn mess this country is, I feel a sense disgust when I see one to this day. Concurrently, I also feel a sense of hope we can reunite the states with sentiments other than greed and racism.

When I was a little girl, I pledged allegiance to the Flag daily at school, learning primarily about history from my paternal family, which included a WWII vet (the last war truly worth fighting for: against hate!). We hung a tattered version on our garage for many years and my father informed me it was a crime to burn it, etc. The thought to burn the flag never crossed my mind - until 2024, when I became so extra disgusted with America (specifically, the US government and many of its corrupt & greedy citizens) — and well, some stories are better told around the campfire! :)

Prior to the extra BS I've dealt with in the States since late 2023, I actually have a lot of good memories concerning the US flag, however last year that changed. On July 4th, 2024... I declared to everyone in my life: "I'm not pledging allegiance to any flag until women and minorities are truly free.” I joked: “Want to be my friend? Burn the Flag!".

With that being stated…. let's focus on my good memories, concerning the American flag.

1. One of my earliest memories, showcasing the beauty of the flag, was held at my paternal grandfather's funeral in Connecticut, during a military burial ceremony in the 90s.
2. Visiting Washington, DC many times, as a tourist, and seeing the Flag on various monuments and buildings during the early 00s.
3. Spectating baseball games and hearing the national anthem. When asked my favorite part about doing an Ironman triathlon, I responded: “hearing the national anthem sung before the race start”, to which the questioning person replied: "Maybe you should go to more baseball games!”
4. Noticing half-staff Flags after an iconic 'hero' figure passes away.
5. Carrying the Flag, representing America, as an Ultraman Canada finisher, at an awards banquet in Penticton, British Columbia in 2022.

In late 2020, I launched a running project called the 'Road to 538', in the spirit to unite the states (because my goodness, what a deep mess the country was back then, too, am I right?!). Friends at the time (who later became critics) endearingly called it esoteric (in layman terms: unusual, mysterious).. but to me, it felt like a spiritually-ignited way to unite the states and also get myself in shape! Let’s get into the run project details…

After grinding away at my desk during the pandemic, while keeping an eye on my active kiddo, my own spirit needed lifting. This self-designed program was about an ~8 week challenge (including one rest day per week), where I would swim, SUP, run or bike the # of electoral miles for each state. In addition, I used my fitness challenge as a way to learn more about each state as I moved through the miles (for example, the official state food for Delaware: peach pie!) Admittedly, a geeky project, it got me back in athletic shape, I learned a lot and it was quite fun! I recorded it all on Strava and it's fun to reflect on those special miles. For Florida, I went with a 'flattish' 29 mile run - so proud of that one! 

Many of my experiences with the Flag mirror many of my fellow Americans and while it's a sad thought to truly think of what has become of this country, gosh, it's also sad I had to let go of honoring the Flag.

Cheers to new, positive beginnings this year and maybe a new Flag. Unless we could be united by something other than argument and hate.. maybe love? A woman can hope!

With Aloha,

Heidi