The Flag and Our Veterans

As we come upon Veteran's Day, I hope everyone will stop and think about all of our Fathers and their Fathers before, who served in the military so we could enjoy the freedom we now have. What special men and women they were and still are. It didn't make any difference what walk of life they came from, in the military they all became brothers to protect the loved ones at home.

I came across a book that my mom and dad had and hope any one that has this book will keep it close at hand and look at it every once in awhile. I keep my book on my book shelf and look at it quit often. It is called "Service Record, World War I and II, Dundy County, Nebraska. It has the Military pictures and records of quit a few of our Dundy County men and women, and lists the ones without pictures who also served. My thanks go to the American Legion Post #134 of Haigler for this book of memories.

I would like to include, from a personal friend of mine, a writing her mother had written and tucked away. It was not found until after the passing of her mother. This is how my friend starts:

During World War II, my three brothers were in the service: Two were flying very dangerous missions and the other was a prisoner of war for 3 1/2 years. He did not survive very long after his return home, and my dad suffered a heart attack during this stressful time. Through those years my mother’s quiet yet strong faith and her unwavering patriotism made the tough times bearable for our family.

My 100-year-old mother died 5 1/2 years ago. Among the things I found after her death was an old shoe box with the words "special things" written on the lid.

In the box, in her handwriting she expressed her deep feeling for our flag. Though it was apparently written many years ago, I believe that most of us may feel as she did, especially now. So I wanted to share her heartfelt tribute to our flag.

It’s just a piece of cloth.
That’s all it is--just a piece of cloth.
But when a little breeze comes along,
It stirs and comes to life, and
Flutters and snaps in the wind,
All Red and White and Blue!
And then you realize that no other
Piece of cloth could be like it!
It has your whole life wrapped
Up in it--the meals you eat; the
Time you spend with your family;
The kind of things your boy and
girl learn at school; the strange
And wonderful thoughts you get in
Church on Sunday.
Those stars in it--They make you
Feel just as free as the stars in
The wide deep night, and those stripes,
They are bars of blood to any
Dictator who would try to change
This way of life.
Just a piece of cloth, that is all--
Until you put your soul into it,
And give it meaning. Then it is a
Symbol of liberty and decency and
Fair dealing for everyone. It is just
A piece of cloth until we breathe
Life into it! Until we make it
Stand for everything we believe
In and refuse to live without it.

God Bless America.

--Karen (White) Lindell