Red White and Blue, Through and Through

Did you ever see the looks passersby give someone completely decked out in red white and blue when it isn’t a holiday? What about when a car passes with all manner of patriotic bumper stickers and paraphernalia? How about the person whose yard is decked out with r-w-b everything year ‘round? People might say they are kooky. I just think they love the United States of America, and they want the whole world to know it. Who can argue with that?

Perhaps they have served in the military. Perhaps they have a loved one who has served. Perhaps they just happen to like anything that screams America. In the days following September 11^th, American flags flew off the shelves, and banners and signs hung everywhere. It took a national tragedy that ripped our hearts to shreds, but in the aftermath, Americans came together and began showing our true colors – red, white and blue.

Ten years down the road, the flags don’t fly so often. There are fewer dazzling displays of patriotism visible to the eye. Even so, I think that the love of our nation has not cooled. In fact, I hear more and more people speak of the Constitution, argue for our freedoms, and speak of their love for our country. I do see American Flag pins on coats and lapels. I see hands on hearts during the National Anthem and people actually singing it.

Fortunately we live in a land where it is perfectly okay to be different. You are free to jazz your yard up year ‘round with patriotic decorations or not. You may wear an Uncle Sam hat, a tiny flag on your lapel, or nothing that reflects the heart of a patriot. I personally like a few troop support bumper stickers and magnets on my car, but not everyone does. That’s okay. We are free to wear our patriotism like a badge of honor or love our country in quieter ways.

Men and women have died to give us our freedom. Many more have died to preserve liberty and allow us to pursue happiness. Remembering those sacrifices is important. Living well in our free society is the best honor we can bestow on them. Our way of life is a torch that burns brightly for the world to see.

What matters most is that the love of country continues to burn in our hearts. Inside the hearts of true patriots, we are red white and blue, through and through.

Say Their Names

This I believe: fallen soldiers’ names should be spoken out loud in public as a measure of honoring their sacrifice.

 For many months, about twice a week, sometimes more often, the American flags on public buildings fly at half-staff to honor New York State’s fallen soldiers. Each time I see the Flag bow to a soldier, my heart aches. I know that a brave young person has sacrificed their life carrying out a mission. I know there is a mother whose heart is broken. I know that there, but for the grace of God, go I.

           I’ve made it my mission to learn the names of each New York soldier that falls. I read their obituary, I pray for them, and I pray for those they leave behind – family, friends and fellow soldiers. Often, I buy a card and send their family my condolences. It isn’t much, but it’s what I can do. I can send them my words. I can send up a prayer. I can say that soldier’s name to honor their service and sacrifice and remember them in my heart. With every prayer and every card, I write the name of that mother’s son on my heart forever.

            This I believe: When a soldier falls in service to our country, the United States President – the soldier’s commander-in-chief – should take pause, reflect and honor that soldier publicly. The President should take time away from the duties of the office and speak that soldier’s name on behalf of a grateful nation, to write that soldier’s name on his heart. It is not too much to ask or expect of the one who sent that young person into battle.

            A soldier would never ask it nor expect it. They are bound by the heart of a patriot to serve, expecting nothing in return. They are bound by a warrior’s honor to think not of themselves, but of their fellow soldiers and their mission first. Even so, when a soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice, laying their life down, is it too much to spend mere seconds honoring them? I don’t believe that it is.

            When a person enlists, they become nameless and faceless in their mission. They look alike, they walk with one accord. They live and breathe to keep us safe. When they fall, their families and friends bury them, honoring their memory with rites reserved for heroes. They would expect nothing more.

For them, I expect more. I expect that we would honor them, think of them and appreciate them.

Health care reform, illegal immigration and the economy take so much of our time and energy. News reports fly fast and furious on every minute detail of these issues. The passing of a Hollywood “legend” will flood the airwaves for days on end. The death of a soldier barely gets a mention. Occasionally, a photo of a flag-draped coffin makes it’s way to the Internet. We are momentarily sad, but then we move on.

America’s bravest deserve better. The President should speak the name of each and every soldier that falls under his watch, now and in the future. It is the very least – the very least -- he can do for the soldier who followed his command without question. If that small act of respect cuts into the time spent campaigning and strategizing the next political fight, so be it. It would be a small sacrifice to make room to recognize a much bigger sacrifice.