Let's Fly Our Flag!

"The flag stands for all that we hold dear --
freedom, democracy, government of the people,
by the people, and for the people."
--Henry Cabot Lodge, 1915

No matter what political party one belongs to,
or what one's particular view is concerning the
events in Iraq and the Middle East, the fact
remains that our American soldiers are there.

A good many of them are National Guard troops and
reservists from the various states, who have been
activated and are being deployed overseas to a war
zone.

These are soldiers who are taking time out from
their lives and families to serve -- the call has
come and they are responding readily and
whole-heartedly.

Let's all show our support for them and all our
military personnel by flying our national flag
every day.

Remember, our flag should always be treated with
the utmost care and respect. The flag represents
a living country and, as such, is considered a
living thing.

Always display the flag with the blue union field
up.

Always hold the flag carefully -- never let it touch
anything beneath it.

Always keep the flag aloft and free -- never carry
it flat or horizontally.

Always keep the flag clean and safe -- never let
it become torn, soiled or damaged.

Did you know: the U.S. flag was adopted on June 14,
1777, and is the fourth oldest national flag in the
world.

Join me in flying our national flag on the next
flag holiday: Labor Day, September 6.

The Soldier
author unknown

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given
us freedom of the press.

It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us
freedom of speech.

It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has
given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us
the right to a fair trial.

It is the soldier, who salutes the flag,
who serves under the flag,
and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to disrespect the flag.