My Dad Wally Moede was a Sgt. in the U.S. Marines in World War II. He would have been 91 years old today. Dad was born on Flag Day. One year my Dad took to me down to the Coast to Coast Hardware store in Windom, Minnesota, my hometown. It was Flag Day, his birthday, the Courthouse square was surrounded by Old Glory! Such a beautiful sight. Dad bought me my first brand new bike that day! On his birthday! My Dad knew I needed a new bike for my growing paper route! That is the kind of Dad I had, a man who always put others before himself, as a Husband, Father, Sgt. U.S. Marines, Windom Fire Dept. Assistant Chief, Head Usher at ALC, Custodian at the School, then promoted to Transportation Director at the school…..always serving others, never resting till the last bus made it back to town and all the children were safe. One day on KDOM radio a Pastor referred to my Dad as, “God’s Angel for children in Windom” I had the best Mom and Dad, I love the picture I posted here of Wally and Ruth. For me, Flag Day is to remember what our Country stands for..serving our country…serving others. Remembering what made this Country great, great men and women. My call today is for us all to be servants of God.
The following column is from the Cottonwood County Citizen in Windom, Minnesota! Thanks to Rahn and Dave for allowing us to post Babe Crowell’s Flag Day column. I have to add that, Babe is my old boss from the Windom Schools! I used to work as a custodian for Babe, he taught me much! Don’t forget about the Windom Revival August 10th and 11th at the Barc! I used to clean that section of the school, which is now the Barc! I look forward to seeing Babe and all my friends from Windom! PTL! PTL!
Flag Day brings a time to respect and celebrate our nation’s flag
More than a few readers out there have grown up saying the Pledge of Allegiance at school, with their hand over their heart and Old Glory in our sight the entire time.
A lot of you have sung the Star Spangled Banner at ball games and other big events. These are among the many ways we respect the flag, every day and every week.
As we look ahead to Flag Day on June 14, I want to remind folks around the area that when we salute or pledge allegiance to the flag, we are honoring and celebrating our country.
If you look around the United States, you will see flags flown proudly on every flag pole. But what a lot of people don’t know is that it commemorates an event that occurred 239 years ago, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the flag by resolution.
On this same date, the U.S. Army celebrates another important birthday, that of the U.S. Army, which actually dates back to June 14, 1775.
Here is what John Adams said during the meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on June 14, 1777:
“Resolved that the flag of the 13 United States shall be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be 13 stars, white on a blue field representing a new constellation.”
Since then, there have been 27 versions of the flag. As each state entered the union, stars were added. The last time the U.S. Flag was changed was on July 4, 1960 with the addition of Hawaii as America’s 50th state.
Here is an excerpt from some material provided by the American Legion, it seems fitting here:
“The United States Flag is the embodiment of our Constitution that proclaims absolute commitment to defending the freedoms given to us by our Creator.
“George Washington once said of the original flag: “We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes thus showing that we have separated from her and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.
“The American flag is a visible reminder of the liberty for which the signers of the Declaration of Independence pledged their lives and fortunes in order to guarantee freedom for each and every American.”
It is important that our nation never forget the service and sacrifices of military veterans and, really everyone who has defended our flag. Let’s not forget that when a stadium full of fans stands at attention with thousands of people pledging to the flag, it is
respect that comes freely.
All my life has involved service. There was service to the Windom School District, 35 years as a custodian; service to the Minnesota National Guard, as a recruiter and career counselor; 34 years of service to the Windom American Legion Post 206, 12 years as commander. The most fulfilling part was in the American Legion Post 206, working for the Veterans Program and Memorial Day Program and also working with the Boys and Girls Staters.
This year, we had a wonderful Memorial Day program. We had the Boys Stater and Girls Staters plan the whole music program. They selected the singers, the songs and the music.
We wanted them to use their own ideas and we knew they could do a better job than if the Legion had put it together. Our youth have so many great talents today, they put on a tremendous tribute for our program. Everyone just loved them!
I am very proud to be an American and to serve the military which protects our freedom that we enjoy in the United States of America.
Babe Crowell of Windom is a past commander of American Legion Post 206. He serves as master of ceremonies for the Windom Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs.
Thank you to Dr. Richard Mansfield of New Beginnings Church in Albuquerque for this prayer……….
In observance of Flag Day here in the United States, I pray that every person that comes across this prayer I have scribed will read it and lift their voice unto the Lord:
Father, as we observe Flag Day here in the United States of America, we are reminded of more than a piece of material but of the great nation that was started in Your honor. We thank You for the men and women of the original thirteen colonies that stood together in the formation of this great nation. We thank You for the thousands that have fought and stood to defend the Constitution of our country. We are reminded that we are to stand united with the 50 states of America as we continue to live out our lives with valor, vigilance, innocence and justice. Throughout scripture, You have always used symbols to remind Your people of the great things You have brought us through. Let us never forget that it’s not about a piece of cloth but instead about the greatness we have become as a nation because of You. You Lord, have truly shed Your grace upon us and we ask most especially now for Your wisdom, guidance and covering as Americans for the challenges we are facing as individuals and as a nation. Please keep Your covering over us today and always. So on this Flag Day, we give a You thanks and praise for the Flag of the United States of America and all that it represents. I pray in Jesus name, Amen!
