Every time I see Old Glory, my heart fills with great hope! No matter the strife, conflict, or war, She soars as a symbol of that which is most great. Even when ragged and torn, like the Flag pictured here which we will soon retire, or like our country feels today, She will always soar in hope as we strive to stay united.

In honor of Flag Day yesterday (by the way, also the 245th birthday of the United States Army), I share with you the love I feel for our Country, our Flag, and each of you who call America home, and those of you who love what America stands for.

I FEEL ENCOURAGED

I’m encouraged.

I’m encouraged because I love our country. She is great. And we the people who are the citizens of this republic, are fundamentally good.

We love.

We disagree, we compete, we do good, and we work hard. We eat food from other countries and cultures. We marvel at the little things. And the big. We deal with hard things.

We don’t quit.

We love baseball and apple pie. Or we don’t. We get goosebumps when something touches our heart… like the Flag, a newborn baby, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” and a pat on the cheek from grandma. We sometimes cry at funerals.

We forgive.

We love cat videos. We get back up when knocked down. We shovel snow off our neighbor’s driveway. We click the like button on way too many things. We take selfies. We talk, text, chat, share, like, poke, and it’s all good. Well, mostly all good.

We love life.

Yep, life is good in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

I’m encouraged.

RAGGED OLD FLAG

Our country has been here before… and we’ll most likely be here again. Johnny Cash sang it well in “Ragged Old Flag.”

And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land
And she’s getting threadbare and wearing thin

Turmoil and tempest have once again caused our country to feel like this Ragged Old Flag.

Scandalized
Threadbare
Wearing thin

But don’t ever forget…

She’s in good shape for the shape she’s in
‘Cause she’s been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more

We also believe she can take a whole lot more!

Each Sunday since quarantine started, Elisa and I have been sharing a Sunday Reflection video. Mostly Elisa plays a piece on the piano and we share a thought. This is what we shared yesterday.

ALWAYS OUR OLD GLORY
By Les Patterson

an everlasting symbol
forever She serves
be She gently folded
or majestically unfurled

paid for in blood
by sweat and tears
etched on our hearts
may She forever be

for those who paid
the utmost farthing
Her weeping tears
silent gratitude given

for all who honor
in act or quiet solitude
overarching protection
She humbly extends

those who ignore
or disgrace the glory
Her tattered threads
your freedom grants

She leads into battle
honors in solemnity
never doth She waiver
Always Our Old Glory

Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share!

Les

p.s. Take 13 minutes today to simply remember what Old Glory means to you.

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