“We Stand for our Flag,”

Who doesn’t love a parade?

From the time I was in Elementary School, from our home, we would walk about six city blocks or more, carrying collapsible lawn chairs to find the perfect spot to watch the Memorial Day parade! Being small, I chose the streets’ curb to sit on, on a blanket my mother had carried, it was the best seat in the house!

I remember leaning forward as far as I could, without tumbling off of the curb, to see who or what was “coming next”! As music grew louder, I knew it would be a high school marching band, or a float carrying various local groups as they slowly passed by, smiling and waving to everyone.

Firetrucks would slowly rumble down the street while blazing their sirens, if we were lucky, the firemen would throw candy our way!

The horses were my favorites!!!

Finally, the floats carrying the Military Veterans would come into view. My father had served in the U.S. Navy, and as soon as he saw the American flag, he arose from his chair with a solid salute, pulling me up as he stood.

Until the flag was out of sight, he stood ” at attention” with his salute held firmly. That was a sight I will never forget. Years later, when I saw a flag, I turned to watch my father jump to his feet and salute, no longer pulling me up from the curb. We stood together, my hand on my heart, his hand in a firm salute, as long as we could see the flag.

With every parade and every flag, he said, “We stand for our flag!”

I saw respect.

I witnessed honor.

I learned by example to value our country, our land, our home.

As a teenager, I auditioned for a Midwest Choral Group for the chance to tour and perform in nine European countries. Not as a vocalist, rather as the only cellist in an eight-piece ensemble, we accompanied the 200-voice choral group with each performance.

This was a summer tour, lasting four weeks, traveling through and performing in nine countries.

I remember a concert in a large cathedral in the south of France, a small village built around its cathedral, the house of worship and community. The day was July 4th, our Independence Day, though our audience was unaware, or so we thought. Tears ran down our faces as we sang, as I played my Cello, and as the Harp sent each note to the rafters above. We were tired, and homesick. The choir sang automatically, but beautifully, we were well rehearsed, but our minds were at home with family, hot dogs and fireworks!

The patriotism we felt was immense and was evident to the audience. We finished that concert with “God Bless America,” while the audience rose to their feet and applauded wildly! It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us, traveling through nine countries, experiencing different cultures, architecture, food and languages. But even as a teenager, the best part of traveling was, and still is, coming HOME.

The three little flags in the above photo, are so small, yet represent so much to so many!

I can’t look at any flag, without a heart full of gratitude, for young men like my father, who want to serve, who will be there if called to duty, who are willing to defend the land they know as “home”.

I have many Military men and women in my family who have served, or who are serving our country now. My heart swells with gratitude, respect and honor for these young people with old souls and solid values.

“We stand for our flag,”…said my father.

I wonder, what examples are we setting for our children, the generation who will one day take care of us and inherit our homeland?

I so pray, and I hope you’ll join me, that we’ll be remembered by our examples set, not merely our words, and that little memories, like little “flags”, will have lasting and positive impacts on their lives.

Friends, I do tend to share “what and where-ever” my mind takes my fingers to, on this keyboard. I have few filters!

I am wishing you a safe and joyful fourth of July celebration this year!

Thanks for listening!

XO,