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Pardon the following...
Had an extremely hard day. Not sure why the events this week have
had such
a profound impact on me but I've been an emotional mess. Work had
asked us
to wear red, white, and blue today to show support for the country and
persons affected by the hijack bombers. I didn't have any clothes
that
filled the billet. I got the urge to take the flag from my father's
burial
to work instead. It turned out to be a very emotional day. Dad
and I spent
the day together. I thought by writing it out I might get it off my
chest.
I wont be offended if you choose to delete it without reading it. I
know my
own e-mail has been loaded with at least 20 messages a day on this weeks
tragic events. You might even disagree with my views/statements!
But... I
feel better! And no... eye didn't chek it four gramer or
punkchuashun.
Dear Dad,
I got to work early this morning and hung the American flag from your
Arlington Cemetery burial, on the wall outside of my cubicle. I
hadn't
taken the flag out of the envelope in all the years since Mom first gave
it
to me years ago. When I was finished I found it to be very
depressing.
Within minutes and throughout the day coworkers came into my cube to thank
me for the gesture to the thousands of persons who were killed, and the
surviving victims, friends, and relatives resulting from this weeks hijack
bombings of the Pentagon, and the Twin Towers. They said they
respected me
for having the "courage" to display the flag. Strange that
so many felt it
merited a handshake. Initially I felt embarrassed and thought
perhaps I
should have simply displayed your flag in the privacy of my own home.
Ensuing conversations about the story of the flag, you, and this week's
victims were repeated continually until lunchtime. As I drove home
for
lunch I reflected on your career in the Marines, and on the sacrifices
made
by so many U.S. military personnel since the founding of our country.
I
felt proud of you... my embarrassment was replaced with pride.
At home I watched the news over lunch. I saw coverage of many high
school
"kids" across the country that had refused to say the Pledge of
Allegiance
to the Flag... until this week. Today they said it not because they
wanted
to chant the slogan of a senseless street gang that wanted to strike out
solely for revenge. They said the Pledge of Allegiance because it
now had
personal meaning, relevance, and truth.
Three days after their initial shock and anger they were beginning to
comprehend the concepts behind their democratic freedoms, what they
represent, what those basic "rights" have afforded them.
They knew they
could no longer take those "rights" for granted.
Freedom isn't a birthright... our forefathers "gave" their lives
to provide
this privilege to their children. Now our "children"
realize they too face
the possibility of having to step forward to ensure their children's
children can enjoy that freedom as well. And so today a large number
of the
"younger" generation have collectively decided they are willing
to bear that
"burden" for future generations.
It's unfortunate that generations repeatedly have to learn this lesson the
hard way. Is there a reason God allowed this to happen? Who
knows??? Who
knows... No one is comfortable thinking a loving God would permit
this to
happen. Sometimes a parent has to bear pain as well when they
reprimand
their children to ensure they grow up strong, loving, and caring.
I returned to work after lunch, and found more people coming to share
stories and thoughts on the recent tragedy. They too have observed
in their
neighbors a resurgence of pride and ownership in the future of our
country.
It was with reluctance at the end of the day that I decided it was time to
take down your flag and return it to its envelope. I asked peers if
they
thought it would be "safe" to leave the flag displayed over the
weekend for
others to observe.
They said they understood the personal value it had for me. They
thought
the risk was too great that someone might be tempted to take it.
That said,
we folded it with the same care and respect tendered by the Marine Corps
Color Guard at your funeral so many years ago... and returned it to its
envelope. As we walked out the door to begin our weekend they
thanked me
for sharing your flag with them and our fellow workers for the day.
On my drive home I had a renewed respect and appreciation for my country,
my
peers, past, present, and future U.S. military personnel, and for those
unfortunate "civilian soldiers" who "gave" their lives
this week. I do not
believe the innocent civilians died in vain. I do believe the
"younger"
U.S. generation has a renewed understanding of the basis of our democracy.
I do believe their children will know the words to the Pledge of
Allegiance.
While the price was achingly high, I'd like to think it wasn't in vain.
I only pray, should we have to go to war to preserve our freedoms that our
soldiers do so with a pure heart... not one of unrecoverable hate and
vengeance... and that they return safe and victorious.
Thank you Dad, for getting us this far... Until we meet again...
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands... one nation under God, indivisible with
liberty and justice for ALL.
I love you,
David
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