Man it is quiet. The only noise emanates from my garage, as usual, this time it is filled with schizophrenic sounds of a saxaphone and piano making passionate love. A rare moment indeed. Memorial Day 2010. The flag is flying and the Facebook posts are telling me to thank my military and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Surely I'm proud of those that have served, they stood in harm's way ultimately fighting for the American Dream. My American Dream. Yours.
Nowadays though the climate is that of fearmongering and hate speech. The political waters are like that of the Gulf. Hopeless. Black. Deadly. In just the past year I've heard some scary things through forwarded e-mails, personal e-mails, blogs and conversation, whether it be at the local watering hole or right here under my roof. Words like "revolution", exaggerations that the nation "will be divided in 5 to 6 different countries in the next decade" and "liberals should eat their young like hamsters." Interesting that last one is the name of a book by "Christian" author. Sounds like "love your enemies" isn't the mantra in his mind.
Taking a moment of silence this morning. Looking at the stars and stripes flowing in the wind, and observing the rest of the block. Their flags flying too. I couldn't help but wonder who is fighting for us. I heard recently that stood out in my mind that "19 year olds are the military's greatest weapon". These are kids who believe in what some people would perceive to be communism. Muslims & satanists. Skinheads & gang members. Hippies & yuppies. Single mothers & deadbeat fathers. Drug addicts & alcoholics. All these different people. People we disagree with about on some very basic things, yet they are fighting and DYING for us.
Our own "enemies of the state" are putting their lives in harm's way so that we can live the American Dream, raise a family, have a career, worship, write blogs and post on social networking sites. Remember that there are people different than you sacrificing their lives for you. Sometimes it is not the ultimate sacrifice, but they aren't going to the beach today. We are because of them. Remember that when we say God Bless America we mean EVERYONE under it's flag. They came here for the freedom that we have enjoyed everyday of our lives.
When you take your flag down at sundown and fold into a triangle remember that American isn't white, Christian and English speaking. American is every color, race and creed. Freedom of speech, political affiliation and religion. American is being compassionate and non-judgemental, giving more than you have so that the others around you can live the American Dream alongside you.
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