In the year of 1966, I was born. At such time growing up in the 70’s and 80’s it was known as the Rebel flag. We watched as the Duke boys fought a corrupt local government while proudly displaying the Rebel flag.
A Rebel is defined as a person who rises in opposition against an established government or is defined as a person who stands up for their own personal opinions despite what anyone else says.
I am of German descent. I am the fifth generation of Aughenbaughs born in this country. The American Aughenbaughs started in Philadelphia Pennsylvania when three brothers landed there from Germany. I am the first Aughenbaugh born a southern, even if the hospital was only eighty miles south of the Mason-Dixon Line. My family never owned slaves as far as I am aware.
The Rebel flag was the symbol of southern rock music, a combination of rock and roll, country music and blues with hot electric guitar sound and vocals expressing freedom from the established norm. I dug it, and still do.
In the 1770’s this very country was founded by a band of Rebels fighting for their freedom and separation from the established Government.
In 1985 on weekend leave following completion of Army basic training, a band of brothers who had just completed the hardest thing they had done in their lives, showed their solidarity and brotherhood with tattoos. We got rebel flags tattooed on our arms.
I proudly wear that faded old flag tat on my arm still today.
To me it represents the Rebels who founded this country, the freedom to stand against the norms of society, cool music, and in remembrance of those brothers I shared fourteen life changing weeks.
The Rebel flag never had or has anything to do with slavery to me nor do I believe it does with most anyone born of the same era.
