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such action that hit home, even to small communities, was the protests of those burning the American Flag. To many of us, this hit a nerve much deeper than the war. By burning the flag, a person was not just protesting the actions of our country’s leaders, but they were symbolically expressing animosity toward everything about our country, including the futuristic vision upon which it was built. Many of us had no problem with people peacefully expressing their disagreement with our country’s policies, but when they venomously, and distastefully expressed disgust for everything about our country, we were appalled. In our community, when a flag burning protest was announced, those who opposed it organized as well. The day arrived, and those planning on burning the flag gathered, consisting almost entirely of young people, mostly men, and almost all with long hair that symbolized the rebellion of the time. Those against it were led by the local veterans post. When one of the young men pulled out a cigarette lighter, a scuffle ensued, and the more numerous veterans overpowered the opposition and took away the lighter. As tempers flared, one cool head eventually prevailed. John, an old World War II veteran, stepped 33