There’s something about a tattered and torn flag that speaks to me.

It speaks of the many years it has flown over America, of my childhood and standing up every morning in the classroom saying the Pledge of Allegiance. It speaks of times spent on Decoration Day at the cemetery with my parents and putting flowers on the graves. It speaks to me of bomb drills in grade school; of crouching down under our desks in fear. It speaks to me of walking home from school during World War II when I’d anxiously watch the windows of the homes I was passing. My heart would sink each time I saw a gold star had replaced a blue one; that meant the serviceman from that home had been killed in action, and I’d run home to tell my parents. It speaks to me of the grief and tears of my friends who lost fathers, brothers, uncles, and empty chairs at the dinner table.

It speaks to me of patriotism when I see a flag fluttering in the breeze. It speaks of the great heritage of our nation and the battles fought from the Civil War, World War I and II, Korea and Vietnam, to the more recent wars of today. It speaks to me of the more than one million men and women who died to keep it flying and keep America free. It speaks to me of the “home of the brave.”

It speaks to me as Memorial Day begins and we remember and honor all the brave warriors that didn’t come home but also the ones that did return home. It speaks to me of the great cost and tells me we should never ever let the hard-fought-for and cherished freedoms of America disappear.

It was speaking to Harry S. Truman when he said “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

It was speaking to Johnny Cash when he wrote the poem, That Ragged Old Flag. …….To read and listen: Google That Ragged Old Flag by Johnny Cash.

Today, that ragged old flag is speaking loudly to me. As it waves proudly in the breeze, it is saying America still stands for freedom. It is our constant reminder of the tremendous price our men and women paid for this liberty. It is speaking to me and to you as we remember the sacrifices, and honor all the valiant men and women who can’t see it flying anymore.

Oh yes, there’s something about the flag that speaks to me— it may be a little ragged, tattered and torn, but where brave men and women live, it will continue to wave and speak of honor and valor and liberty and heroic warriors.     

Thank you to all the brave ones who have gone ahead, to all that have returned, and to all those who are still fighting, Thank You.                                                                               

Today, July 15, 2016, I would add a Thank You to all the heroic Police officers. those who gave their lives, and those who are still striving to preserve the freedom of the citizens of Dallas, Texas.  

THANK YOU, you will be remembered …