If I hear another veteran arguing that we need to protect the American flag from protesters who might burn it, I'm going to punch him in the face. Anyone who says that is a disgrace to the uniform he once wore.

Understand: I have a great deal of respect for veterans. My uncle flew combat missions in Vietnam, and I'd salute him in a heartbeat. Vets deserve appreciation for their service. But when someone says that the physical banner of the United States is more important than the principles embodied in its Constitution, they are demonstrating contempt for their country. And in the case of a veteran, they're violating the very first article of the oath they took, swearing to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States". Whether they like it or not, the Constitution (as upheld by the Supreme Court) says that the right to burn the flag as a form of protest is protected by the First Amendment. I don't agree with everything the Supremes say, but a soldier challenging their authority is flirting with treason.

There's nothing in the military service oath about protecting the flag; that's just a bit of conditioning they use in boot camp to enforce discipline and promote team morale. Honoring the flag and protecting it from physical harm are noble things. But they don't take precedence over the Constitution and their oath to uphold it.