Flag Day, June 14, is set aside to celebrate the Red, White, and Blue. In these tumultuous, divisive times, it is important to know why the flag is celebrated and what those colors represent.
Betsy Ross – who lived and died on a Philadelphia street not far from where America was founded at Independence Hall – will always be remembered for sewing the first American flag.
Flag Day brings a time to respect and celebrate our nation’s flag
Times are tough, very tough. Like many of you I am worn down from our country being divided, political scandals, church scandals, shootings, hate, the rising cost of living, all the wildfires here in New Mexico, no rain, severe drought, crime is out of control, we still abort babies, this list goes on and on. As a Pastor I have doing more funerals than ever before, the Lord is calling many home. I start my day with JESUS, the only way I can go forward each day is putting on the armor of God. I have my Sharon and Daisy with me as I go out into the world everyday. BUT first JESUS! Being editor of the FGGAM website is so cool because I get to read God’s Word’s and different posts of inspiration by all our authors.
I tell you this, if one is not grounded completely in JESUS they get into trouble, they start making bad decisions, they let Satan in the door bit by bit, many now in America put politics above God. It is simple to me, I am simple man of God, why is the world is having so many problems? Many do not beleive in God, many think they do, but they do not have a Biblical Worldview, only 6% of Americans do. Only 37% of Pastors in America do!!! So I know why we are in deep trouble. Politics is the playground of Satan, and too many so called Christians have put it first in their lives and twisted everything into hell. You see it! You smell it!
I know this is way too simple for many, But JESUS is always the answer! I will not give up! People say, “JESUS comeback now!” But Jesus will come back when He comes back! You and I are her for His purpose! We must carry out His command, which is The Great Commission, building bridges of love and trust, brining many into His Kingdom.
You and I are here for such a time as this! I stand for God and Country, always have and always will.
Yesterday when I went to the Post Office I got to meet a soldier in line with his sweet 3-year-old daughter, Adeline. I asked her if her Daddy was a soldier, she smiled and said yes! I shook her daddy’s hand and gave Adeline money for ice cream. That is how I go about my life, loving others, appreciating others, loving on our children, loving on our soldiers! That is ther America I know.
Man I played Johnny Cash’s “Ragged Old Flag” on my radio show every Saturday morning on JOY-AM!!! The words still ring true here in 2022! The flag has been through hell and is still standing!!!!!!!!! I also played many of these below in my days in radio!!! Folks loved it!!!
The America dream is still alive if you WORK FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE GOD IN YOUR HEART, MIND AND SOUL! MILLIONS HAVE SACRIFICED THEIR LIVES FOR US!!!!! What are you doing for our Country?
This message from Flag day in 2018 from my Dear Brother in Christ Gerald Crowell still rings true here in 2022. Many things have changed in our Country in that short time, but our Flag still stands strong as does its meaning. I am proud to be a Christian and a American. God and America are the hope that is left in the world. I was born on July 4th, 1956. I was taught right off the bat about my GOD and about America. I was taught good ethics. I started work at age 9 in my own lawn mowing business. In the winter I shoved snow for money, later I saved up and got a snow blower! When i was a sophomore in high school Gerald Crowell, known as Babe, gave me the job as a custodian at the Windom Schools. Babe was my boss, but also my mentor. He trusted this young boy with that big rings of keys and the responsibility to take care of the sections of the school I was to maintain. Babe went out on the limb and hired this young guy. I worked for Babe for 7 years and saved up enough money to go to Brown radio and tv school in Minneapolis. When I got there they said we understand you were a custodian in Windom at the schools, they offered me the HEAD CUSTODIAN job at Brown. I had a crew of 5 I beleive, we really cleaned up that school, it was very filthy. I worked mornings before class and nights after. I got a weekend job as a news producer at the Minnesota State News Network also. I graduated with honors, that was in 1979. I had wonderful parents and mentors like Babe. The America dream is still alive if people are willing to work. I started at the Minnesota State News network in 1978, so it has been 43 years I have been doing radio as I still do a radio ministry program on 4 stations. GOD took that radio announcer part of me and turned it into a preacher for HIM in 2008. Nine years ago this August GOD formed FGGAM. GOD has been so good to me, a miracle is what I call it. Amen!
DO NOT BE FOOLED! THE AMERICAN DREAM IS STILL ALIVE! WORK FOR IT!!! BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS!!!!!!!!! IT IS UP TO YOU!!!! NOT ANYBODY ELSE!!! STAY CLOSE TO GOD!!! IF YOU GIVE YOUR LIFE T
O HIM HE WILL HELP YOU MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER DREAM OF!!!
The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, the set of ideals (democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity and equality) in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, as well as an upward social mobility for the family and children, achieved through hard work in a society with few barriers.
From 2018………
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!
Gerald Babe Crowell’s message from 2018…….
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!