A Veteran’s Recommendation for Military Appreciation Month

 
The month of May is Military Appreciation Month and there’s an easy way to demonstrate that appreciation.
 
Respect the American flag.
 
Don’t let it touch the ground. Make sure there’s a light on it at night. Fly it on all proper holidays and at half-mast when appropriate. Make sure it’s folded correctly and if it needs to be retired, then do so properly.
 
Remember, flags aren’t supposed to be thrown away.
 
As a veteran, these things resonate with me.
 
Personally, I consider my work in the military to be a fairly normal calling. I did not do it to be selfless; I did it because it was the career path I always envisioned. So, a stranger thanking me for my service, albeit well-intentioned, can feel somewhat awkward. “You don’t have to thank me,” I typically say. “You’re worth it.”

Honoring the nation always strikes a chord with me. Yes, there is turmoil and disagreement among politics. Heated debates can lead to a unique madness. But at the end of the debate we should turn our focus to values and beliefs we all share. At the end of the day we’re all Americans.
 
Don’t take that for granted.
 
We are blessed. Blessed for the opportunities and comforts we enjoy – even in spite of the current pandemic. We’re also blessed for the opportunity to continually work on forming a more perfect union.
 
Emphasis on that last word – union. We are the United States of America.
 
So, as we enter Military Appreciation Month, let’s focus on what we have in common.
 
The flag represents those things. By honoring it, we honor our shared identity.
 
Mike Romanchek is the director of sales and business development for Team Wendy. He entered the Marine Corps and was commissioned at the end of that year. He served in the 2D Marine Division from 2001 to 2004, serving on a Unit Deployment Program (UDP) in Okinawa and Operation Iraqi Freedom I (OIFI) with the 1ST Marine Division.