Fewer and fewer have served in the military and in many cases that service stays within a family.
I think those that have served or those with family that have served view the flag with a little more reverence. That would fall in both your groups... older guys (can practically see them wearing their Navy baseball caps to Shoprite) as well as the young Midwest kid that joins up.
There is definitely a segment that feels a little more protective of the flag (I'm in that group.) I'm not going to get too excited about protests, but here it a time when I would rather not be scolded for "speaking my truth".