I stand for the flag during parades, and have taught my kids to do so. I have been to parades where they are among about six kids standing. The old people are always standing. I have been to other parades where almost everyone stands. A lot depends on where the parade is. The veterans in the parades, young and very old, see it all.

I have not forgotten those who hissed like vampires at dawn when the flags came out after 9/11. Neither have a lot of other people.

I do not support Federal laws or a Constitutional amendment against flag burning, but by God, if some war veteran kicks the flag-burner's ass I will probably cheer.

The 60s are over, and a little ass-kicking might have done some of them a lot of good back then. Time to grow up.

(I didn't know they called Navy folks "squids.")