Sunday Letters - Freedom

There is much talk in the news these days about the American Flag and how to respect it, so I thought it might be time on this Flag Day to share some thoughts about this flag of ours, and the freedom it affords if you call yourself an American ...


"Flag Day takes place every year on June 14, as a way for people to commemorate the American flag, a symbol of freedom and independence. It isn't a day that changes date, like Thanksgiving. No matter the day of the week, June 14 is the day to celebrate by waving your own flags high.

The holiday isn't too widely celebrated. By that, we mean it hasn't become a major commercial holiday, like Memorial Day or Christmas. Because of that, many Americans may pass by Flag Day without even realizing they've missed an important holiday for the American tradition.

Source: https://www.newsweek.com/how-did-flag-day-start-history-holiday-1510503


"Since the early days of our history, the American flag has represented freedom - something very fragile in an evil world - and our country's ideals of liberty and justice for all.

But ....

70 years ago ...

the United States celebrated a more poignant Flag Day, one in which freedom and our country were greatly in peril.

The year was 1942.

The United States had just entered into World War Two (1939 - 1945) after Japan and Germany had declared war on us, embroiling us in another world war not to be equalled in the rest of the 20th century.

During those trying times, the Nazi juggernaut had rolled up the map of continental Europe. Japan had nearly wiped out our Pacific fleet with their attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Yet, we had just fought the Battle of Midway the previous week (June 4 - 7, 1942) and had won a decisive victory against Japan, giving hope to turn the tide in our favor in the Pacific theater.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, during these dark days, broadcast his Flag Day speech to the nation, closing with a prayer for the world.

The Spirit of man has awakened
The Soul of man has gone forth

Grant us the wisdom and the vision
to comprehend the greatness of man's Spirit
that suffers and endures so hugely for a goal
beyond his own brief span

We are all of us children of Earth
Grant us that simple knowledge
If our brothers are oppressed,
then we are oppressed
If they hunger, we hunger
If their freedom is taken away,
our freedom is not secure

Grant us a common faith,
that man shall know bread and peace
That he shall know justice and righteousness,
Freedom and security, an equal opportunity,
and an equal chance to do his best,
not only in our own lands, but throughout the world.

And in that faith, let us march, march toward the clean world,
our hands can make. Amen"

Source http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2894261/posts


Photo: This Land Was Made for You and Me - Color Photograph Copyright Frank J Casella - www.frankjcasella.pixels.com

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