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Independence?
There are few things in this world that can bring a tear to my eye. My children working in their gifts and doing what they love to do is one. But the one thing that unequivocally cause me to shed a tear no matter what, is the American Flag. “Old Glory”, if you will.
You may look at the condition of the United States and question my sanity. I am not an “old timer” nor have I served in a military fashion (that’s a story for another day). But I think of our Founding Fathers, Betsy Ross and 1776. I remember movies like “The Patriot”, “Act of Valor” and “Flags of Our Fathers”. It is upon those thoughts that I focus on the intent of the flag. I remember how the number of stars have increased from Betsy’s first one and what the “Red, White and Blue” truly stands for.
This is not a bash against those who don’t respect it, salute it, or take their hats off to revere it but instead a focus on the positive aspects. A parade, laser light show or a ball game undoes me when they sing the “Star Spangled Banner”. A flag draped coffin or a triangular fold handed to a widow sends me to my knees in prayer all while digging my face into my hands or swallowing hard to hold back a tear.
I am reminded of my first encounter after the War on Terror started. I was on a plane and saw several officers in dress uniform sitting in their seats. The sullen faces and tears streaming caused me to realize what was going on. After we landed, the leader of the flight crew spoke softly over the intercom and asked if we would remain in our seats until the officers and the flag draped coffin of a fallen soldier had been taken care of.
I willingly sat in my seat. I got several stares and even sneers because I wasn’t deplaning and they were in too much of a hurry to get on with their self-centered lives. After staring out the window and saw that the soldier was safely in the hearse, I gathered my bag, composed myself and deplaned. As I deplaned, I looked to see one vet sitting in his seat with tears streaming down his face. He flashed a crooked, trembling smile. I approached the cockpit to deplane and was met by the captain who simply looked at me and said, “thank you”.
That was well over 10 years ago and I can see it as if it were yesterday. I hear the voices, see the tears and hear the captain’s words.
It is during this time, that we celebrate Independence or more so, FREEDOM!
I want you to thank a veteran, an officer, a firefighter or a neighbor for their willingness to stand for something. I see the flags on their trucks and cars. Some even wear it on their uniforms. My team of coworkers also wear it because we serve the Federal government civilian and DOD/I agencies.
Don’t lose hope. Fight for your freedom and know we fight side by side. Remember your independence and why you are off of work. Remember those who have fallen and those who still fight. It is because of them, we are still the greatest country in the world.
Until then,
Use your instincts to survive
Source: http://instinctsurvivalist.wordpress.com/2013/07/03/independence/
