Yesterday was Flag day

"I am what you make me; nothing more.
I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

Yesterday was Flag day and we flew our flag as did a few of our older neighbors. I was sad not to see as many as we used to. Wasn't it just 5 1/2 years ago that we all were flying our flags every day in support of our country after the terrorist attacks of September 11?
I'd like to think we all flew them so much back then..... they wore out....... but I fear our country has become so divided on our feelings of the war in Iraq that some won't show their patriotism in traditional ways?
I won't go so far as to say people are not patriotic... because I think they are in their way......they would not want to live in any other country, they are .....just very conflicted.
But I know I support our president and our troops. Not one American wants young men and women to die in battle and leave their families devastated. I feel such gratitude for those who are willing to fight for the freedoms we enjoy here in the USA!!! That is why I fly our flag. When I take a moment to pause and reflect while looking at the flag esp. blowing in the wind out of doors, I tear up and swell w/feelings of thankfulness, sadness, pride , and yes some frustration. I am so happy to be an American, to have freedoms paid for w/ the lives of so many and wish that all countries could look to God and treat each other with respect.

The History Of Flag Day
The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.
Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, delivered a 1914 Flag Day address in which he repeated words he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: "I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

Inspired by these three decades of state and local celebrations, Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 - was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson's proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.