FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno City Council Member and Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Nick Richardson used remarks during a Fresno City Council meeting to explain what the American flag means to him.

Richardson, a Buchanan High School graduate and combat aviation liaison in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, thanked residents who attended a recent Flag Day event.

“Thank you to everybody who came out for Flag Day. It’s my personal favorite holiday,” Richardson said.

Richardson said the flag symbolizes people coming together despite their differences, and compared the flag to a constellation that changes over time: something that serves as a symbol people can look toward, even though it cannot be physically touched.

Richardson also acknowledged that some people choose not to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, but said his message was not about telling others what to do.

“I’m not going to tell you what to do,” Richardson said.

Instead, he encouraged people to see the flag as a reflection of the values they hope to promote in the future.

“Whatever you aspire to see as your country, whatever values you want to see push forward as a nation, that is what you should look to the flag and see,” Richardson said.

Richardson said the flag can carry different meanings for different people while still serving as a symbol of hope.

“And it’s not gonna look the same for everybody, but that is hope for the future. That’s kind of what it represents to me,” Richardson said.