(The Center Square) – Sacrifices were too many, and the least the fraternity brothers on a North Carolina campus could do, he said, was keep Old Glory flying.
And so, they did.
In an emotional back-to-back segment of the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night, the tears for lives lost among 13 families were followed by song and inspiration from country music artist Brian Kelley performing with the Holy Redeemer Church of God in Christ Choir. American flags were brought to the foot of the stage by seven fraternity brothers from the University of North Carolina.
Alex Johnson, speaking for them to the delegates and national TV audience, said, “When a mob tried to take down the American flag on our campus, we knew we couldn’t let that happen. We stood guard, we held it up, and we did not let it fall. It was all about respect, not just for the cloth, but for everything that the flag stands for. Too many people have sacrificed everything for it. The least we could do was keep it flying.
“And tonight, we are proud to honor our flag again.”
His words resonated to the cheering crowd just moments after the families of those killed at Abbey Gate – the Aug. 26, 2021, withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan – had shared their grief and encouraged voters to send Republican nominee Donald Trump back to the White House.
All of Fiserv Forum Arena repeated the names back as they were called: Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, and Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.
Then Kelley and the choir took the stage, and moments later the fraternity brothers were bringing the colors down the two main aisles, fist-bumping the delegates and getting a rousing ovation.
On that April afternoon, they watched in shock as protestors took down the American flag on the campus’ fabled Polk Place Quad and replaced it with the flag of Palestine. Taking responsibility was the group Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of North Carolina.
Alpha Epsilon Pi, Pi Kappa Phi and other fraternities made sure it didn’t stay that way. With interim Chancellor Lee Roberts holding firm and surrounded by lawmen, the Stars and Stripes was again raised to its proper place.
The nation’s oldest public university, and flagship of the UNC System, had permitted the pro-Palestinian protests. Trespassing into classroom buildings led Roberts and administrators to order an end to the protest encampment at Polk.
The protests were centered on the Middle East war between Hamas and Israel. Protestors sought transparency on UNC investments; divesture from support of "Israeli genocide and full academic boycott"; and to work with students, faculty and staff to ensure university compliance.
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