• Blog

    Flag Day

    “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.”  John Adams, June 14, 1777

    The red and white and starry blue is freedom's shield and hope.

    My Name is Old Glory 
    by Howard Schnauber

    “I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand watch in America’s halls of justice. I stand guard majestically over great institutions of learning.

    I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world. Look up and see me. I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident; I am arrogant; I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I bow to no one. I am recognized all over the world.

    I am worshipped. I am loved and I am feared. I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years: Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomattox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, in the Persian Gulf and a score of places long forgotten, by all but those who were there with me. I was there.

    I led my Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. I followed them and watched over them. They loved me. I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my Marines and Sailors cheered me. And I was proud. I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my own country. and when it is by those I have served in battle with, it hurts. But I shall overcome, for I am strong. I have slipped the bonds of earth and from my vantagepoint on the moon, I stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space.

    I have been silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. But my finest hour comes when I am torn in strips to be used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle – when I fly at half mast to honor my Soldiers, my Airman, my Sailors, my Marines, and – when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother, at the graveside of her fallen son or daughter.

    I am proud. My name is “Old Glory.” Long may I wave, dear God, long may I wave.”

    2020 Week #25

  • Blog,  Monday Moments

    Little Flowers of Hope

    There is so much hope in a little flower and so many flowers in a little hope!

    Mehmet Murat Ildan

    The little blue Forget Me Not. Tiny and easily overlooked but hopeful.

    According to German legend, when God created all the flowers he started to name each one of them.  After God named all the plants, one tiny plant was still unnamed.  He called out to God saying, “Forget me not, O Lord!”.  When God looked back at the tiny plant, He told the flower “This will be your name, so no one will ever forget you”.

    The version of a second legend states, when God was busy giving all the flowers their colors, he missed one.  He heard a tiny whisper saying, “Forget me not!”  It came from a tiny little flower.  God had only a little amount of blue color left, so He gave that color to this tiny little flower.  Upon receiving the blue color, the flower was delighted with joy. 

    These legends of the Forget Me Not fill me with such warmth. A little flower not giving up on hope.

    There is still hope. There is hope for mercy. There is hope for compassion. There is hope for respectfulness. There is hope in trusting. There is hope for joy.  

    There is so much hope in a little flower and so many flowers in a little hope!

    Forget Me Not that we have HOPE!    

    2020 Week #24