Proudly

My brothers, Thurman, Tracy, and Richard served in the Navy; my husband in the Army; my nephew Clint joined the Marines. They all came back home, all except Clint. We lost him to an awful place called Viet Nam. I think of Clint often and especially on Memorial Day.

My country is made up of diverse geographical areas, amazingly beautiful natural scenery and wonderful people. It is the best country in the world and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The American flag will be flying in many places today. This proud banner is an emblem of the United States of America and I don’t take kindly to those who disrespect it or refuse to salute it or think of it as just a piece of cloth. No! It is so much more. I remember that flag being folded and handed to Clint’s mother. Political correctness flies out the window when I see on television someone stomping, burning, or spitting on that beloved symbol.

Have you seen the historic picture of five United States Marines and a United States Navy Corpsman raising the flag at Iwo Jima? The picture was taken February 23, 1945 by Joe Rosenthal. Three of those Marines in the photograph were killed in action during the next three days of fighting.

Do you recall the story of Francis Scott Key and how he came to write The Star Spangled Banner? British ships bombarded Ft. McHenry all night and when morning came, Mr. Key anxiously scanned the sky to see whether the American flag still waved at the fort. The morning light finally revealed that magnificent banner, waving proudly, undefeated. The flag was still there! Many brave Americans died to keep it there.

So, this Memorial Day, thank you to all who have served this country, to those who came home and those who did not. And thank You, God, for the patriots who were ready to risk safety, wealth, and all they had for the love of something called Freedom! May we never, ever, ever forget!

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