Reported By Saul Saenz
PORT ORANGE -- It was a small, but hugely important celebration outside the American Veterans 911 post in Port Orange.
The gathering was in honor of the stars and stripes.
"I have the deepest respect for old glory, the one that I fought for," said Vietnam veteran Rick Bernardani.
The 89-year-old Air Force veteran's step is a little slower than in the days he fought in World War II. But his respect for the American flag is steadfast.
Bernardani says others have lost that respect and that fewer Americans fly it on the day set aside to honor the flag.
"The younger people are not respecting it. They don't realize they wouldn't have the life they've got if it wasn't for us," said World War II veteran John Rugglas.
Those veterans say that it’s because of the respect that they hold for the American flag that they take issue with governmental agencies that do not fly it on Flag Day; like a Port Orange post office, or this Daytona Beach post office or even the Daytona Beach City Hall.
Veterans say to honor the flag is to pay respect to soldiers serving right now, those who have served and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
{***sot/Rugglas***}
"So is it an insult when those agencies do not fly the flag? Yes! Tell me about it. I think they should fly the flag,” Rugglas.” “I think all of them should fly the flag. And I fly it everyday."
Rugglas says he does so because men and women fought alongside old glory to keep it the home of the free and the brave.
Comment on this story.