Today is Memorial Day, a day to remember and honor those who went into the military to serve and to protect us from foreign enemies. And – They never made it back. Today we remember those who ‘gave the ultimate sacrifice.’ Oh, the US has been involved in too many wars and we have lost hundreds of thousands of young men and women in them. Families have been changed forever because of it. We can not forget.
But these brave men and women enlisted, or were drafted, for the common good. They left home, trained, and went overseas to keep the United States free and to protect our Allies. They went to Europe. Japan. Vietnam. Afghanistan.
The Star Spangled Banner, our flag, was on every uniform – during every war. A badge of courage.
We here in the United States celebrate The American flag with it’s own “Flag day” and we remember Francis Scott Key who saw it flying over Fort McHenry, and then wrote our national anthem after being moved by the flag ‘still there. ‘
Americans love the flag. It represents all the good that we have been – from the 13 original colonies then, to the 50 states of now. The Stars and Stripes.
For my whole lifetime I can never remember a time when it was not proudly displayed in public places, outside homes, on farms, in cities, and the like – and it was always a sign of unity. Until now. Yes – Even the American flag, the ole red, white and blue, has been made political these days. And it’s been changed to different colors. The American flag is now sometimes a sign of how patriotic you think you are. In fact instead of unity it is sometimes flown as a symbol of certain political leanings. I see on Facebook some memes about passing the American flag post on if you really believe in it – like others don’t as much. One party stating we are MORE patriotic than you. (Don’t pass it? Then you must not be patriotic.)
Well, this American is not going to accept that. Hubby and I fly two flags on our property. We love our country and we our proud of the people of this great land. We certainly want to honor ALL who have served, and given their livlihoods – and even their lives – to keep us in a land of democracy. As the expression goes “freedom isn’t free.” I know that. Many have given so much. There has been pain, and heartache, and loss.
So, fly the American flag proudly today – and on the 4th of July – and all year long if you want to do it. Respect it’s origin, and think about All who made it Possible to keep flying today.
We live in an amazing country, yet we continue to work on being a more perfect union. We will always have differences on policies. But we should never use the American flag as a symbol of one party over another. I have seen posts lately from my Democrat friends saying to fly the flag – to stop it from being used against some Americans. It’s for us all.
One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice FOR ALL.
Marla’s Musings 