It's the flag of the nation. Not the flag of the federal government. There are symbols which are more directly associated with the government, such as the Grea

It's the flag of the nation. Not the flag of the federal government. There are symbols which are more directly associated with the government, such as the Great Seal of the United States. You will see patriotic expressions involving that symbol rather less, although the bald eagle, our national totem, is quite popular. Some countries have a separate state and civil flag. The United States is not among them. If you're asking why Americans love our nation, I don't know how to answer that question.