September 11, 2003


  • Red is for Blood
    Of Patriots who Died
    to Free us


    White is for Justice
    and Government of Law


    Blue is for Honor
    and Faith in all we do


    This is our Flag
    This is Old Glory
    And it represents
    the Spirit of America


    Unbowed and Unbroken



    When I was a teen, patriotism struck me as odd and perhaps even embarrassing.  At that time the American flag made me think of Vietnam, Watergate, broken promises, and global interference with the governments and policies of other people.  I wasn't impressed, and I felt a great need to apologize to the world - we aren't all like this!


    Now I look back on my adult years, and I'm not sure when the change took place.  It could be when I started reading history.  Or maybe it was when I started seeing things less in black and white and more in shades of gray.  Now when I look at the flag it symbolizes for me the ideals that we set for ourselves.  The fact that we don't reach the ideal doesn't make it a less worthy goal.


    Past
    Freedom is bought with blood
    I will remember the river shed.


    Future
    Justice under Law is the goal
    I will work to make it so.

    Present
    Honor and Faith are my currency
    I will pay my debts with pride.


     

Comments (25)

  • I think of unity, love, freedom. I am proud that I can call it mine.

  •  :clap: Well said...

  •  :eyes_wink:As far back as I can remember I've felt patriotic, even though I didn't have a name for it. I always got to tears when they played the national anthem at games, and taps makes me want to cry cry cry.

  • Thank you for this.  At first I thought today should be a day to be "off" Xanga and quietly reflect.  But now I see this should be a time to come together...

  •  :bow:  You are a beautiful piece of the great American quilt.  :bow:

  • I have been a patriotic sap (as in the National Anthem makes me bawl) my entire life.  I loved putting my hand over my heart and saying the Pledge at school each morning. 

    I am so fortunate to be American.  And I've known it all my life.

    Beautiful, Terri.    United We Stand.

  • Great blog.  And yeah, I'm a patriotic sap too.  And you're right, ourflag, and our nation, is one of ideas and ideals.  We won't hit the mark every time, but at least we are trying.

  • Like Kris, I've been patriotic all my life.  I think it's because we had the flag that draped my uncles casket in WWII in a trunk upstairs.  And I heard the stories...saw the pictures...knew how it affected my dad.   It's grown stronger as I've gotten older. 
    ...there were and are still times when I too think we're not all like this...and I never forget it's my home.   

  • Even growing up overseas as I did, I still always felt very patriotic. I would never want to trade my citizenship for that of any other country.  I am proud to be an American.  Like freekycheek I get all weepy with patriotic hymns... always have... Thank you for your beautiful blog.

  • I agree totaly with you Terri and I would be able to say the same things : freedom , justice , brotherhood in faith .

     Love            Michel

  •  :amen:

  • For all its faults, we Americans should never forget that we live in the greatest country in the world.

    No nation in history has possessed the kind of global power that the US has, yet has tempered that strength with restraint. 

    We aren't perfect, but as far as I'm concerned, we're way ahead of whoever's in second place.

    --Scott

  • o/

    God Bless - Dale

  • I love this country and I don't give a shit if being a patriot makes me oh-so-terribly "un-cool" in the eyes of all those who hate my country...

    You're a Grand Old Flag,You're a high flying flag
    And forever, in peace, may you wave!
    You're the emblem of the land I love,
    The home of the free and the brave!

  • WHITE IS FOR JUSTICE  AND GOVERNMENT OF LAW can mean different things to different people!!!

  •  :clap:Well said and well done! ! !  Agreed 100%!  God Bless The USA ! ! ! !  May we never forget what we are about, and what it took to give us our freedom! ! !   Have a great day and a wonderful tomorrow! ! ! !    :smile:

  • Mike

  • props props props~!~!~ :smile: :smile:

  •  :heart:

  • the u-s-of-a will be a-o-k

  • {{{{{hugs}}}}} Kira

  • patriotism has never struck me as odd nor embarassing, but the ways in which certain americans reveal their patriotism is.  for example, while i love what the us symbolizes, i recognize what our country has to offer, i couldn't imagine living anywhere else, and i definitely support our troops abroad, i was absolutely against the war with iraq, and even ashamed to call myself an american when french fries were titled freedom fries in all federal buildings.  i could not even believe that our government had become sooo petty.  instead of focusing on the huge budget deficit we have, much needed public funding, ameliorating issues between israel and palestine, or even searching for bin laden, they decided that renaming french fries was much more important!!  i totally disagree with bush and his policies, and the hate crimes that arose from all this disturbs and pains me.  many misunderstand the idea of patriotism, and take it as a being interrelated with bashing foreigners.

    however, i'm happy you are at least comfortable with our country.  i wish i could feel the same....  maybe the change'll take place after i become a totally independent adult, totally independent from my parents that is :smile:  

    thanks for sharing your thoughts.

  • : )

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