“The flag of the United States has not been created by rhetorical sentences in declarations of independence and in bill of rights. It has been created by the experience of a great people and nothing is written upon it that has not been written by their life. It is the embodiment not of a sentiment, but of a history.” (Woodrow Wilson)
While I was serving in Vietnam, Ronald Reagan was serving as the Governor of California, and at my request, Governor Reagan sent a flag that had flown at the Capitol Building. We proudly flew it outside our dingy canvas tent. This old flag has a place in my heart where it flies every day of my life.
When I look at “Old Glory” I see the lives of approximately 1,264,000 men and women who have died defending her. That is, our “Grand Ole Flag” is stained with 10,112,000 pints of patriot blood. I, for one, will ever honor them by honoring My Flag, “Old Glory”!
You see, “Old Glory” has earned the right to be called a faithful American Veteran, for she has gone with, and flown beside every fighting man and woman America has birthed and sent to defend America’s and the world’s freedom causes. She has been raised on nearly every nation and continent as an emblem of help and rescue. She can be seen raised in glory over the many foreign burial grounds where our patriots have given their lives for the sake of freedom . . . everyone’s right to freedom.
Old Glory, our flag, America’s banner has been always loyal and adorned in full and gloriously bold colors. Our symbol of peace and freedom is always there.
Tragically, Flag Day is one of those holidays that are often unappreciated, overlooked and forgotten. Not many receive a day from work or school; not a lot of parades or events for Flag Day anymore. Most of the time we forget how significant the flag is until some national tragedy occurs and we see it flown in every home and on cars everywhere. Such was the case after 9-11. I was so comforted and proud in the days and weeks following the shock of that horrendous event. Alas, the patriotism seemed short-lived.
The American flag, as our symbol, was adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. June 14 as Flag Day, was recognized by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, 105 years ago.
Symbols by themselves have little meaning. The flag is simply cloth. But when we let a symbol stand for something good for the people, we honor that which is good in human character. When we verbally “pledge allegiance to the flag,” we are remembering the values it represents. The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the waving folds of this banner.
However, in recent decades, patriotism has declined as has America’s moral standards. Respect for the flag has plummeted to an all-time low. Resulting from these things and more are the public displays of hostilities toward our “Grand Ole Flag.” Sadly, “Old Glory” has been walked on and burned by angry uncaring citizens. Many schools and universities have basically banned the display of our precious “Stars and Stripes”.
The only thing the America is lacking is a return to faith and trust in the One true God. Oh to hear again men and women and girls and boys voicing the Flag Salute with great enthusiasm: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
So this Flag Day, if you see the flag displayed, pause for a moment; place your hand over your heart and voice a prayer for “one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all” because America needs God. American churches need reviving. America needs a Spiritual Awakening on a grander scale than it has ever experienced in her history.
Come on, Church, Pray On!
