In our family it has always been our custom
to fly the American flag not only on July 4th, but all
national holidays as well as other chosen times.
My original flag was presented at the funeral
services for my Uncle, Sgt. David Jones of Delphos, Ohio.
It was given to me by my Aunt as a “thank-you”
for having conducted his services. Sgt. “Davey”
(as he was known) was a Master Electrician in World War
II and served in India, and on the island of Tinian.
Having flown this flag for over 10 years,
it is now faded, somewhat tattered, and in need of retirement.
I went to a local Veterans Organization to buy a new one,
and I was told: “This flag cannot be sold.”
I went to several businesses where flags are sold, and
saw hundreds of small flags on little sticks for $2.50.
I also saw a 3X5 flag with a cheap pole for $15.95.
However, I wanted one of those big flags,
just like the one the officer presented to my Aunt at
graveside but I was told “This flag is not for sale.”
Our original American Flag, the one with
the 13 red and white stripes, with 13 stars in a circle,
was made by Betsy Ross at the request of General Washington.
Many years have passed and many revisions have been made
to Old Glory but today there are still the same 13 red
and white stripes. Now 50 stars are on the blue field.
Who can say what the flag costs? Truthfully
it is priceless. It represents all the blood spilt over
all the years from Lexington to Yorktown; from Ft. Sumter
to Appomatox; from the Argonne Forest to Iwo Jima and
from across the years including Iraq and Afghanistan.
Where men and women have carried the Red,
White and Blue, this symbol of our nation represents freedom
and independence. Its cost is beyond calculation –
it’s meaning beyond measurement.
But fly the flag we must, for it speaks
boldly of the remembrance of sacrifices too precious to
describe. It speaks of the reverence for every warrior
wounded and lost to defend its honor – its presence
now resides in battlefields and public cemeteries throughout
the earth as it waves over buildings, campgrounds, stadiums,
and schools. It speaks an awesome message;
“We will never forget;
We will always be grateful.”
No words can ever describe the cost of this
flag – the most powerful symbol of all we hold dear
in the land over which it flies.
God Bless America
