President Trump used his State of the Union address Tuesday to honor the American flag and took a thinly veiled swipe at NFL protesters who kneeled during the national anthem.

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“Here tonight is Preston Sharp, a 12-year-old boy from Redding, California, who noticed that veterans’ graves were not marked with flags on Veterans Day,” Trump said. “He decided to change that, and started a movement that has now placed 40,000 flags at the graves of our great heroes. Preston — a job well done.”

“Young patriots like Preston teach all of us about our civic duty as Americans. And I met preston a little while ago, and he is something very special, that I can tell you. Great future. Thank you very much for all you’ve done, Preston. Thank you very much.”

“Preston’s reverence for those who have served our Nation reminds us why we salute our flag, why we put our hands on our hearts for the pledge of allegiance, and why we proudly stand for the national anthem,” Trump said.

“Americans love their country, and they deserve a Government that shows them the same love and loyalty in return.”

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