American photographer Vanessa Hicks has come under fire over a portrait she captured of a US Navy officer holding his baby in an American flag, with claims that she is ‘desecrating’ the flag with her image.
Vanessa, a Navy veteran and wife herself, had no idea that she would spark a debate on patriotism in the US by sharing the image on her social media.
One offended commenter branded the image “disrespectful, rude, tacky, disgusting, and against the US Flag Code”.
Needless to say, Hicks was taken aback by the negative comments, and told ABC News that, in her eyes, the image captures the very heart of patriotism.
“This is what he was fighting for, his son wrapped in an American flag,” she said.
One glance at the post today will show that Hicks has also received overwhelming support for her picture, with many questioning why there was an issue with it in the first place.
“This picture is beautiful. I believe it truly captures the freedom that he is fighting for, for his baby and for the lives of those of us he doesn’t now. Thank you for capturing this photo, and thank you to this Soldier for serving our country,” wrote another commenter.
