It may seem like just another day. There's no national holiday. It's not like July 4th or Christmas, when folks have been counting down the days until a day off from work. Advertisers, who so readily promote chocolate-covered bunnies before Easter or the latest, greatest techno-toy for under the Christmas tree, pretty much ignore it.
But today is a special day. June 14th is Flag Day. It was first celebrated in 1877, commemorating the adoption of the United States flag back in 1777.
Today, I'm remembering the guys and gals from Stafford who are serving our country. Jake and Ethan are currently in Afghanistan. They played football with Brent. Two other soldiers, Jamee and Dallas, were in Brent's high school class. All of them are currently serving or have served their country. There are many others, too - names that fill a good portion of our church bulletin insert each week. Other names come to my email in-box as one of their moms asks us to pray for her son's platoon and send them letters and care packages. I don't know these other young men. I imagine how they look. I imagine where they are from. I imagine their Moms and Dads as they send their sons off into a world I can't really fathom.
Today, I'm remembering the guys and gals from Stafford who are serving our country. Jake and Ethan are currently in Afghanistan. They played football with Brent. Two other soldiers, Jamee and Dallas, were in Brent's high school class. All of them are currently serving or have served their country. There are many others, too - names that fill a good portion of our church bulletin insert each week. Other names come to my email in-box as one of their moms asks us to pray for her son's platoon and send them letters and care packages. I don't know these other young men. I imagine how they look. I imagine where they are from. I imagine their Moms and Dads as they send their sons off into a world I can't really fathom.
"Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represents the very best of this nation."
~ Joe Barton
Around here, the guys will celebrate Flag Day by raking and baling alfalfa and disking wheat stubble. I'll be on the computer and in the kitchen, doing my normal, everyday routine. Others will go to their office buildings.
But as we go through our everyday lives today, maybe take a moment or two to realize how fortunate we are to live in the good old U.S. of A. where have the freedom to follow our dreams and pursue our livelihoods. And then remember the servicemen and women who still work today to preserve our right to fly Old Glory. And remember their Moms and Dads, their brothers and sisters, their wives and husbands and children: All of them are sacrificing, too.
"I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself, the pictured suggestion of that big thing which makes this nation. My stars and my stripes are your dream and your labors. They are bright with cheer, brilliant with courage, firm with faith, because you have made them so out of your heart. For you are the makers of the flag, and it is well that you glory in the making."~Franklin Knight Lane
If you want to celebrate with some patriotic-themed baking, here are a few ideas:
Well said, Kim. In my prayers, I Thank God for the brave men and women who protect our Country at home and around the world. I am also Thankful for our Vetran's.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a nice day doing your normal thing! Who knows when you will be needed outside?
I had a lot of "transportation" requests yesterday. I thought I was going to have some today, too, but I'm still waiting on that. Randy got up at 4 AM to rake hay. I didn't!
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