Respect Our Flag: Let Us Practice Patriotism in Real Time

I welcome the reported decision by the Ministry of Education to reintroduce Civics into the Junior High School curriculum, from 7th to 9th grade. This is a commendable step toward rebuilding civic consciousness among our young people and strengthening their understanding of citizenship, national identity, responsibility, and love for country.

By Amb. Robert Benjamin Haynes, contributing writer

But I believe we must go beyond teaching Civics in the classroom. We must practice patriotism in our daily lives.

One simple but powerful place to begin is with the Liberian flag.

Every day at 6:00 p.m., when the national flag is lowered from public buildings and the whistle is blown, that moment should mean something to every Liberian. It should be a moment when we stop what we are doing, stand at attention, and show respect until the flag is completely lowered.

Whether you are walking, driving, working, playing, talking with friends, or conducting business near a public building, when that whistle sounds, pause and give the flag your full attention.

This is not merely about following a procedure. It is about teaching ourselves and the next generation that the flag represents something greater than a piece of cloth. It represents Liberia—our history, our independence, our sacrifices, our national identity, and our collective hopes for the future.

If we want our children to understand patriotism, let them see it practiced by adults. Let students watch their teachers, parents, public officials, business people, motorists, market women, and ordinary citizens stop and honor the national flag.

That is Civics beyond the classroom.

We cannot teach children to love Liberia while demonstrating indifference toward the symbols that represent our nation. Patriotism must be seen, practiced, and passed from one generation to another.

Therefore, as we welcome the return of Civics to our Junior High Schools, I urge the Ministry of Education, schools, public institutions, communities, and every patriotic Liberian to promote a culture of respect for our national flag.

Let the 6:00 p.m. whistle become more than a signal that the working day is ending. Let it become a daily reminder that we are Liberians and that our nation deserves our respect.

When the whistle blows, stop. Stand. Pay attention. Honor the flag.

By doing so, we are not simply teaching patriotism.

We are practicing patriotism in real time.

One Liberia. One Flag. One People. One Nation.

Amb. Robert Benjamin Haynes is a
Graduate of the Gabriel L. Dennis Foreign Service Institute. He currently serves as Director of Press at the House of Representatives.