Day after tomorrow we will be celebrating the 4th of July. Are you ready for the celebration? Have you made out a list, gone through it a dozen times, completed most of your shopping, turned your prep area into a Betty Crocker kitchen, invited family and guests over for a BBQ? There is a good chance you answered Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! and Yes!

But wait...STOP! Did you remember a most important part...a role that should have been center stage all week? The flying of the American Flag! Not only America's flag but also wave and/or take notice of any military flags waving proudly over our nation...Know That Flag!

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.

Continuing this year's Countdown:

5 - In God We Trust
4 - Star-Spangled Banner
3 - Pledge of Allegiance

2 - Remember Our Troops

1 - Happy Independence Day

Pledge of Allegiance:

Say it and mean it!

The Pledge of Allegiance was originally composed by Francis Bellamy (1855-1931) in 1892. It received official recognition from Congress in 1942 but was not formally adopted by Congress as the pledge until 1945. Bellamy's intention was creation of a pledge that would be used by the citizens of any country. The Pledge has been modified four times since its composition.

Official versions
(changes in red bold italics)

1892

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the republic for which it stands,

one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

1892 to 1922

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the republic for which it stands:

one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

1923

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States, and to the republic

for which it stands;

one Nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1924 to 1954

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and

to the republic for which it stands;

one Nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all."

1954 to Present

"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."

As you watch the video below and listen to the words of Red Skelton, keep in mind this was produced in the year 1969!

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Never become outdated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?

http://www.amazon.com/Awakenings-Then-til-Sharla-Shults/dp/1620247313/ref=la_B007YUYUG4_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404156501&sr=1-1

©2013 Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults

"On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no veteran behind." —Dan Lipinski

America continues to FIGHT for her FREEDOM!
Proudly wave the American flag every day of the year!