In May, I listened to a local radio talk show about how a group of people were showing disrespect to the country in which they have come to live and make a living. I was shocked to hear the ways in which some of the youth of this group took the flag of our country down from it's place of residence, and replaced it with the flag of the country they came from. This brought out feelings inside of me that made me really think of how I feel about my country - the United States of America - Land of the Free and Home of the BRAVE!!!
It was forged and fought for by my ancestors who knew how important it is to have Agency - to worship, to live and to love family in a country that is "BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE". I have on every opportunity I am given, walked up to veterans of wars past or an active soldier, shaken their hand and said !!!THANK YOU !!! for your service and sacrifice on my behalf. They usually are timid or shocked that I would take a minute to stop and take notice of them. I ask them - are you going or coming? Where have you served & how long have you served and how many times have you been? They in turn replied, ... that it is an honor to serve!!!
I've asked the veterans of my father's generation found walking at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, where did you serve and what is your story. With tears in their eyes and a lump in their throat, tell me a brief but proud story of the important part they served that saved our nation and the world from an evil way of life. I am thankful that there are still the "BRAVE" that are willing to pay the price for the freedom that still is an important part of our wonderful but very troubled country, in which I still enjoy freedoms that most nations of this world still dream about. I pray for their safety and ask Heavenly Father to protect them and bless their families everyday.
So I have started a new tradition (actually an old tradition that I have renewed ) at our house.
Each morning, I get up, I take my new flag (flown over Camp Fallujah - 4th of August, 2006) and put it up to display my feelings to my country around me, I stand at attention and pledge my allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America! When was the last time YOU recited these words (with your right hand over your heart):
I have had the privilege to see with my own eyes "Old Glory", it's battle scars from the night and the morning, in which it inspired the words of Frances Scott Key:
So lest any misunderstand my feelings or thoughts:
It was forged and fought for by my ancestors who knew how important it is to have Agency - to worship, to live and to love family in a country that is "BY THE PEOPLE, OF THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE". I have on every opportunity I am given, walked up to veterans of wars past or an active soldier, shaken their hand and said !!!THANK YOU !!! for your service and sacrifice on my behalf. They usually are timid or shocked that I would take a minute to stop and take notice of them. I ask them - are you going or coming? Where have you served & how long have you served and how many times have you been? They in turn replied, ... that it is an honor to serve!!!
I've asked the veterans of my father's generation found walking at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, where did you serve and what is your story. With tears in their eyes and a lump in their throat, tell me a brief but proud story of the important part they served that saved our nation and the world from an evil way of life. I am thankful that there are still the "BRAVE" that are willing to pay the price for the freedom that still is an important part of our wonderful but very troubled country, in which I still enjoy freedoms that most nations of this world still dream about. I pray for their safety and ask Heavenly Father to protect them and bless their families everyday.
So I have started a new tradition (actually an old tradition that I have renewed ) at our house.
Each morning, I get up, I take my new flag (flown over Camp Fallujah - 4th of August, 2006) and put it up to display my feelings to my country around me, I stand at attention and pledge my allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America! When was the last time YOU recited these words (with your right hand over your heart):
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
And to the Republic for which it stands One Nation Under God,
With Liberty and Justice for all!"
I have had the privilege to see with my own eyes "Old Glory", it's battle scars from the night and the morning, in which it inspired the words of Frances Scott Key:
"Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars , through the perilous fight,
o're the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?..."
So lest any misunderstand my feelings or thoughts:
"I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN,
I LOVE THIS COUNTRY OF MY BIRTH!
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IS THE LAND IN WHICH GOD HOLDS IN HIS HANDS,
WATCHES OVER AND PROTECTS WHILE HIS WORK & LAW GOES FORTH
AND
I'M PROUD TO PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO IT'S
RED, WHITE & BLUE FLAG
AS IT WAVES PROUDLY OVER MY HOME IN IDAHO!
Kristy Wadsworth Lewis
1 comment:
Wow mom! That song about knocked me over. You know, the kids...every time they see a soldier want to run up to him/her and say thanks. (Jared and taught them to do that.) But i've discouraged that because i was in a "hurry" or i didn't want them bothering them. I think from now on, i will sacrifice a few more minutes and let them run up and give their thanks. What a selfish thing i have done by not allowing them to do that. Thanks for posting this so that i can have a reality check!
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