I think you're missing the angle the parents bringing to the table: The flag was flown as the symbol of the actual Confederacy for a short time sure, because t

I think you're missing the angle the parents bringing to the table: The flag was flown as the symbol of the actual Confederacy for a short time sure, because the Confederacy itself was short lived. But it's been flown as a symbol of southern pride for a long time since then. And traditions need only span one's own lifetime to be meaningful.