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July 4, 2003 - "Uncle Al's Flag" Welcome to 2TheHeart!
Freedom is not an unlimited license, an unlimited choice, or an unlimited opportunity. Freedom is first of all a responsibility before the God from whom we come. ~Alan Keyes
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WRITING WORKSHOPS! Get published, make your writng zing, and learn the ins and outs of the writng biz. We now offer four different writing workshops, and all start next Monday, so register right away! www.2theheart.com/writingworkshops
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With this, our final Patriot Week story, I felt Mary Emma's story the perfect one for today. As I posted our own flag this morning, I thought of Uncle Al, and all like him who have served and continue to serve our country and others needing the protection that as a free People, we are honor-bound to defend. I cherish my freedom and wish each of you in all corners of the world the same blessing. God bless.
UNCLE AL'S FLAG
by Mary Emma Allen
The tragedy of September 11, 2001, caused many people to rethink their lives, their patriotism, and their faith. Once empty churches filled; strangers helped and encouraged one another; and Americans found their flags.
"Don't we have a flag, Mom?" my daughter asked, as we saw neighbors' flags flying at their homes and viewed more at public buildings.
"We have Uncle Al's," I answered. "Wouldn't he be proud to have his flag flown at a time like this when our nation is facing one of its greatest tests."
This flag had draped my uncle's casket. As a World War II veteran, who saw action in the Pacific during years that sorely tested our country, he was proud he had participated in our country's fight to keep America free.
Uncle Al never talked much about those years on Guam and in the Pacific Theater as an aircraft mechanic and his faith that helped him face those struggles. But he saved his military uniform and gave instructions that he be buried in it, with his medals pinned to his chest. I also found his Bible midst his possessions, one that had traveled with him during those war years.
The day of his funeral, in the small church of his childhood, three veterans attended the services and spread the American flag over his casket. At the cemetery, they folded and handed the flag to my mother, his closest surviving relative. Before she became totally incapacitated with Alzheimer's disease, Mother passed the flag to me.
"Take care of Al's flag," she said.
On this recent occasion of tragedy and testing for our country, we pulled the flag out. My granddaughter looked at it in awe and slowly unfolded the red, white and blue symbol of our country. She and her brother marveled at its size. Then we hung it from the deck in front of our home.
I watched Uncle Al's flag rippling in the breeze, as our country recovered from this September 11 tragedy and called upon God to help us find faith again. I thought it fitting that the flag honoring a World War II freedom fighter flew to honor heroes who lost their lives during an act of war in 2001.
It seemed as though God was making us come full circle as we reexamined our faith once again...the faith that carried soldiers like Uncle Al through the days of World War II and strengthened our country in the aftermath of 9/11/01.
Mary Emma Allen copyright 2002
Mary Emma Allen writes for children and adults, often sharing stories of encouragement and inspiration. Her book, "When We Become the Parent to Our Parents," offers hope to those who have family and friends afflicted with Alzheimer's. Visit her web site at http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea
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GIVE TO HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN & BABIES! Visit the page of cancer patient and Woman Extraordinaire Gery E. Drahn, where you can help her in her drive to bring books, games and baby blankets to hospitalized children and babies! www.2theheart.com/Papillon
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The Letter Box:
Susan, this story of your Father in Law truly touched my heart. What a devastating and awful war that was for the youth of our nation. Serving their country and being criticized for what they were doing, it makes me shudder to think of those times when men were dying and people were holding up protest signs against our men instead of encouraging them. A war that made men fight fiercely to take a hill "then walk away from it while their blood was spattered and left on that piece of sacred ground" ~ I honor those strong brave hearts that fought that war in the name of "freedom, love, and honor" ~ to me each Viet Nam vet holds a most special place in my heart and their memory should live on forever. Thank your father in law for me, I appreciate his service to the cause of freedom for all oppressed people. In my heart he is a "hero." Love Francine
Here is a special poem dedicated to our Viet Nam heros. I love you Fran http://poetry-emotion.com/Patriotic/franvet.html
Re: Battlefield Promise by Dr. Hanson: Enjoyed it! Thanks so much. Very timely!
Dear Dr. Hanson,
Your story moved me. I made certain promises as a nurse in Vietnam, and I am ashamed to say, over the years my promises have been forgotten. Not by God, I'm sure though! Your story prompts me to re-commit to those "deals" I made with God, as He kept His end of the bargain, so must I. Thank you ever so much! Charlene Y., IN
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