Happy 4th of July!
My husband and I both grew up in very patriotic families and the 4th of July has always been a favorite holiday at our house. When we were kids, the raising of the flag and saying the Pledge of Allegiance were routine at our schools. At my country school, we also sang at least one patriotic song each and every day. There was a nurtured reverence for the flag deeply ingrained in our very being. We would have never thought of not placing our hand over our hearts; removing our hats; and respectively facing the flag when our national anthem was sung. The Star Spangled Banner moved and inspired us then and still does today.
Over the years there has been a subtle and gradual decline in our land of the patriotism that we hold so dear. As if this isn’t alarming enough, I suspect that many in our country do not even grasp the inherent value of this loss. Sadly, you can drive all over our small town on any given patriotic holiday and see only a handful of flags being displayed. It is a sign of the times across our great land. But the good news is that:
We can change that!
One person at a time! One flag at a time!
Teach your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews about the flag and what it stands for. Make sure they know the Pledge of Allegiance word for word. Sing patriotic songs with them; because all the while you are doing these things you will be instilling in them a sense of patriotism that will last a lifetime. Make it a part of each day to pray with your kids for our brave soldiers who selflessly put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms. It's vital to our freedom that we never, never forget the price paid.
Start this year and make this 4th of July the beginning of a special patriotic family tradition at your house. Explain what Independence Day is all about and why we celebrate. Buy a handful of flags and ribbons and turn the kids loose decorating your yard. Be a trendsetter in your neighborhood. You never know…it may just catch on!
GOD BLESS AMERICA
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.
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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.
Dedicated to our son, Steven, who was wounded in Iraq January 15, 2007.
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