A Yeah Me Achievement

 

OLD GLORY POSTED

Yesterday was July 4.  250th birthday of US. I had no invites to celebrate and thought of years past how we 'd enjoy the day and usually always watched fireworks that night because I loved seeing them.  But now just me.  Still I  put the flag out and she proudly held colors.  

It was also Saturday, so I go to Saturday eve mass, and as often had lector duty yesterday. I was dressed and ready feeling festive with red wedgie sandals, red jacket and blue dress and wearing my beaded flag earrings.  These earrings were made for me so long ago I. Career days by Kitty Bath, one of my staff.  Kitty could be a problem for her supervisors, a frustration to handle at times, but she had a good heart.  Of course I wasn't dealing with the issues,  that was the supervisor's responsibility,  I was higher level management.   Ah but anyway Kitty had a hobby of beading, teeny beads like these. She found it relaxing.    I have these and two other pair, roses which she gifted to me. I wonder what ever became of Kitty.   Last heard she'd moved to WA state.  

My beaded flag earrings

Anyway suddenly as has been happening here all week, boom!  Thunder, the sky turned dark grey and opened up pouring out buckets of rain.   I looked at the weather app and it showed us in the midst of a storm.  Maybe it would let up some soon.  Well that did not happen.   It just kept pouring.  I did not think about the flag.  I was concerned and decided I'd better change clothes before mass and get closed up shoes too.  

No let up imminent in the rain..  I knew I would have to use an umbrella too getting from the car into church.  I figured we'd have a low turnout with it being the 4th and people having their celebrations but I still left early to get a close parking space.  Old glory was OK when I left but getting some rain despite the eaves of the roof.  

But when I returned after mass, OH NO,  The flagpole had been blown loose from the holder and the flag was on the driveway. It had quit raining by then so I stopped in the driveway, opened the garage door and picked up the flag.  Brought her into the garage and laid her over the gardening cart to dry.  Darned, I noticed the flagpole holder had been bent too.  I could deal with that later.  Came in and had my dinner but kept thinking about that pole holder.  So out I went, taking a hammer, always my tool of choice, I tried pounding it back up but that wasn't working.  Neither could I adjust it by hand.  Now I would just have to wait, maybe get help from a friend, maybe would need a new holder.  I was mad at me for not taking the flag down soon as the rain started.

Today right after having my morning pills and coffee out I went and looked at the damage again.  As though it could have fixed itself overnight!  Hmmmm.  Would I have to ask for help.  I try to avoid that because I do not want to be a pest, though my good friend tells me not to even think that way.  I tried a big rubber head hammer, nope nothing.  Hmmm.  Finally, using pliers I managed to unbend it and get it back up into position!  That was a "Yeah Me" and "Thank You, Lord" moment.  And today the flag is again hoisted and proudly waving!  But the least hint of rain and down she comes.  I have lights for the flag but I'm not leaving her up all night.  Don't want to push my luck!

Flag Day JUNE 14 2010

This cartoon  sums up why we proudly fly the flag today and all days......

Today I remember my father  2 Lt. Lewis S Ball who gave his life  for our flag, he and his Combat Crew 193 Army Air Corps flight from Nassau to Charleston, SC.....June 20,  1944.   Ironically it will be  on Father's Day that I will again remember and miss my dad whom I never knew the most.  

I consider my Uncle Carl who served with vigor through Europe seeing and living through things he would not share with anyone who was not there, saying only to me, "It was allright if you survived.  I was a lucky one."  I remember our fallen soldiers who left gaps in hearts.  

Fly the flag  proudly, beat the drum loudly for somewhere a soldier has given his all .......

  I AM YOUR FLAG
I was born June 14, 1777
I am more than just cloth shaped into a design.
I am the refuge of the world's oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of Freedom.
I am the emblem of the greatest soverign nation on earth.
I am the inspiration for which American Patriots gave their lives and fortunes.
I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the bloody ridges of Korea.
I walk in silence with each of your Honored Dead to their final resting place beneath the silent white crosses row upon row.
I have flown through peace and war, strife and prosperity,
And amidst it all, I have been respected.  

I AM YOUR FLAG
My red stripes symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this Glorious Nation.
My white stripes  signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons.
My blue field is indicative of God's heaven under which I fly.
My stars clustered together unify  50 states as one for God and Country.
"Old Glory" is my nickname and proudly I wave on high.
Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and your fortunes. 
Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return.
Keep alight the fires of patriotism.
Strive earnestly for the spirit of democracy.
Worship Eternal God and keep His Commandments.
And I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom
           for all mankind.
I AM YOUR FLAG                      by Thomas E Wicks, Sr.