See also: I am the Flag by Ruth Apperson Rous
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.
The Pledge of Allegiance
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A Lesson For Americans
by Mike Dalka
My Grandfather was a glider infantryman in WWII, an advisor in
Korea, and lost one of his sons, my uncle Gary Edwards, in Vietnam. I worked in
his auto repair station during high school and he flew his flag in front daily.
One day while I was sweeping the oil dry out of the bays it began to sprinkle
rain. He told me to go get the flag and I said "gimme a second." He
said, "It is raining, go get the flag NOW." Well I popped off my mouth
about how he should cool it, it isn't going to melt or some such typical teenage
comment.
My grandfather is the toughest man I've ever met. He explained once that he
thought basic training was some sort of country club during WWII, because he was
used to hard work anyway, and at home he didn't have indoor toilets or hot
running water! And when I said whatever it was that I said to him, he turned
deep crimson and I thought, "God save me, he's going to kill me for talking
back." Instead tears welled up in his eyes and he squeaked out "You
don't understand what this family has paid for the right to fly that flag."
Then he turned his back on me and went out and got the flag. I just stood there
feeling like the smallest person to ever live. Those words cut me so deep. I
wish the entire country could have heard them.
[ I ] hope that this Nation might yet have enough people who
understand the cost of liberty to turn things around.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay
any price, bear any burden,
meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and
the success of liberty.
President John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address January 20, 1961
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