Fourth of July

across darkened skies
rockets' red bursts will glare

American flags still wave

Over here, over there

Sadness in the Midst of Celebration

Earlier this afternoon, my husband and I ventured out for a drive. We visited the cemetery, freshening the flowers on my sister-in-law's, and my Mother's and Father's gravesites. The flag at Dad's (a WWII veteran of Iwo Jima) was waving proudly in the wind as we stopped to salute and say the Pledge of Allegiance. In looking around, there were only a handful of small flags placed about (one on the ground that I promptly picked up and replaced at a gravesite). This reflection emitted quite a sad hue since the day was the Fourth of July.

YET, that was not what saddened me the most. We decided to take a short drive through town along main street. As we passed each storefront, I could not help but comment how fortunate each store owner is to have the freedom to be able to own and operate a small business. BUT, where were the flags? I was appalled, I counted three.

Every storefront should have proudly displayed the American flag in honor of all who sacrificed for America's freedom. AND, it should not end there . . . The American flag should wave every minute of every hour of every day throughout our great nation in remembrance and honor of those who are still fighting to maintain that freedom!

YOU CAN BET, for each passing day that the flag is not waving, especially on a national holiday, someone somewhere is smiling because of its absence. The enemy does not sleep. It is up to us to be Forever Watchful. . .

and Proud to be an American. . .

Something to Think About

Why IS this day

So widely celebrated?

Sparks and sparklers

Never become outdated

Picnics and outings

Set the stage

For hotdogs and beer

The day's rage

Raucous celebrations

Reign through the night

Yet how many remember

The nation's plight?

When flag after flag

Waves across the nation

Sacrifices made

Call for celebration

For 'twas it not

For those who died

Would this country

Be unified

Raise your glasses

Toasting with cheer

America's freedom

Remains one more year

Look to our ancestors

Who fought to win

Sacrificing their all

For freedom to begin

Should we be misguided

Sorely blood stained

Will fading memories

Ne'er be regained?


Within every story

Beginning, middle or end

Lie choices and sacrifice

Are you ready to pitch in?

"For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail? - Ralph Waldo Emerson

America continues to FIGHT for her FREEDOM!