AAP News Vol. 3 No. 5 May 1987, p. 17
© 1987 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Honor, respect and the flag

Edward M. Eitzen Jr. M.D., FAAP1

1 Major, Medical Corps, U.S. Army

I was deeply disturbed when I read the letters of Drs. Matlin and Flender ("Second Opinions," March 1987 AAP News) complaining about the use of the U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard to open the AAP Annual Meeting. Although I was not present there, I assume that the Color Guard was there so that our country's flag could be honored by the playing of the national anthem. It is absurd to me that this would be interpreted by some AAP members as a glorification of militarism or as support for war or the arms race. Rather, it is a way for us to express our respect for the main symbol of our freedom and our appreciation for the fact that we live in a country where we can gather at all. As a pediatrician in the U.S. Army, I can assure that those young men who carry that flag want peace as much or more than any civilian. They might be the ones to die should this country go to war.