Long May it Wave

After the attacks on September 11th, our nation was in a patriotic frenzy. We rallied to support one another, record numbers of people attended church together, and everyone who could dig up a flag had it flying. The news was spouting about a new America, a united America. Sadly, our national attention span leaves something to be desired. Where have all the flags gone. I recently received an email from the mother of a young Marine who is currently fighting in Falluja and she said she was disappointed that hers was the only house on their block still flying an American flag. Has being patriotic gone out of style or merely become inconvenient? Have we also stopped praying for our country and the brave young men and women who are fighting so valiantly on our behalf? I wouldn’t be surprised. Where I live, there seem to be a lot of Lakers flags, even some USC flags, but not so many American flags anymore. Let us rally around that flag once again and continue to pray for our country. What began on September 11th, or perhaps even a decade earlier, is far from over and we need to stay focused as a people. I hope and pray that as our soldiers come home they will find our flags flying in gratitude and support of their noble efforts. In conclusion, I am reminded of those final words in our National Anthem, which Francis Scott Key penned during the battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, “Oh, say does that star spangled banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” May the answer ever be yes.

Long May It Wave
Everyone has their flags out lately
On cars and houses most everywhere
And the words of the God Bless America
Seem to be echoing through the air
Our response to the recent tragedy
Has been overwhelming, it’s true
With a nation rallying as one
Around the old red, white and blue
But once this current crisis is over
Once we have mourned our dead
Will our new found patriotism
Begin to fade in the months ahead
I hope and pray that it shall not
That our commitment will endure
That this is a new America
And not just the one du jour
For the way to honor our fallen
To prove our lofty words are true
Is to continue our patriotism
And stand by the red, white and blue
Let us cherish the land of the free
And remain the home of the brave
Taking pride in our mighty nation
And her flag, long may it wave
By Frank Carpenter ©