Skip to main content

Spiritual Sundays ~ Independence Day




The Flag of the United States of America

I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am saluted.
I am loved
I am revered.
I am respected
and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh, and Appomattoz. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy. Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me. I’m presently in the mountains of Afganistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed. I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud. I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt for I am invincible. I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country. And when it’s done by those whom I’ve served in battle – it hurts.
But I shall overcome – for I am strong. I have slipped the bonds of earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my
Wounded comrades on the battlefield
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
At the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.

Bob Thompson, Retired Military Veteran
Panama, City, Florida


Join Ginger and Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays for more inspirational writings submitted by wonderful inspiring writers. Happy Independence Day and praise God for our freedom!

Comments

  1. Debbie PetrasJuly 4, 2009 at 3:07 PM

    I've never seen this before but how perfect for this day. Happy Fourth of July to you Mary.

    ReplyDelete
  2. CharlotteJuly 4, 2009 at 3:24 PM

    This is wonderful. I don't see how anyone can live in America and not love and be proud of our flag. It represents so much that is good in this world.
    Happy 4th to you.
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageJuly 4, 2009 at 3:29 PM

    A very touching tribute! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful July 4th weekend with a lovely Spiritual Sunday.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  4. rcubesJuly 4, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Happy 4th sister and your post is a great time for us to reflect on what America is all about - freedom. And it is for freedom that Christ died on the cross. Fireworks would be greatly displayed in different places tonight but may the Lord do a revival and create fireworks in each person's heart to seek Him and love Him. God bless sister and have a great weekend! Love you in Christ!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kathleen July 4, 2009 at 5:51 PM

    What precious roots!

    Praying you and your family have a peaceful 4th.

    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  6. LorenJuly 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM

    What an awesome post! How humbling too when put in this light! Thankyou!

    I am praying for a peacefilled 4th and rest of your weekend with your family!

    Love you Mary!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AlleluiabelleJuly 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM

    My Dear, Precious Friend,

    I have never seen this writing before, but it was absolutely beautiful. My husband and I layed low today and I have reflected much on what Independence Day really means. I hope your day was good one.

    Love, Peace, Blessings & Prayers,
    Alleluiabelle

    ReplyDelete
  8. KarenJuly 4, 2009 at 8:19 PM

    Thank you for sharing that. It was raining hard all day here and caused our busy day to become a much needed rest.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ziggy StardustJuly 4, 2009 at 10:11 PM

    God bless you I am following on Spiritual Sunday.

    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  10. SmilingSallyJuly 5, 2009 at 4:00 AM

    God bless America.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Musings of A MinisterJuly 5, 2009 at 8:44 AM

    Great. I love our flag too. What a great country we live in. I am grateful to God for it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. SueJuly 5, 2009 at 12:43 PM

    What a perfect peace of writing for this time, all so true. She has stood the test of time and I am so proud of her. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  13. AndreaJuly 5, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    Continuing to pray for you!!

    Stop by arise 2 write..you have been tagged!

    Love ya, andrea

    ReplyDelete
  14. christy roseJuly 6, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    This was perfect for this holiday! thanks for sharing it Mary!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ginger~~Enchanting CottageJuly 6, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    Beautiful!!
    God Bless,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Daisy House

I work at my desktop with the children at my feet.  A makeshift area rug made of white butcher paper lines the floor where the baby, crayon in hand, imitates her big sister.  Sister focuses on the finishing touches of the house she designed.  The catchy children’s song, Wheels of the Bus, blasts from the Toddler Station on Pandora Radio. Six year old Sookie unveils her masterpiece and I ooh and awe at the sketch.  “It’s a daisy house!”  I exclaim.  “I love the colors.  I wonder what the inside looks like.”  Without hesitating, Sookie describes each room.  “There are five rooms and they are all different colors.  One is Mint Chip, another Strawberry.  There is a Vanilla room, and a Cookies & Cream room and the last room is Rocky Road.  You have to wear a sweater inside because it is very cold.” “A house made of ice cream,” I reply.  “It sounds heavenly!” I dug into my Bible readings that morning ...
37 comments
Read more

Marriage Tip #44: Do What He Wants

I thought about our upcoming anniversary.   I prayed one morning for the marriages in my family, and a sentence about my own dropped in my spirit:  “ Do What He Wants .”  I paused, “Really?”  He’s his own man.  What if I end up in the wilderness camping by night and target shooting by day?  What if a coyote decides to have me as a late night snack? We celebrated our anniversary early this year, Before the kids come next week.   And we did it his way . This is how it happened. I never asked him about a plan or even mentioned our day.  I remember how it all unfolded at the roundabout just as we drove into Sedona.  He asked me if I would like to go to a baseball game.  I responded excitedly, “Yeah!”  Before the day was over, he purchased tickets for a Diamondbacks home game. He printed them out.  He booked a hotel room so we wouldn’t have to drive home from the city after the late evening game. ...
44 comments
Read more

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...
23 comments
Read more