I was looking out the window of the high rise I work in now, at this grand flag atop a neighboring building, and wondered how in this politically incorrect world such a huge flag could be flown.
I stood for a moment, and then started to say the pledge of allegiance, 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.
A smile came over my face, as I recalled how proud I was as a child to say those words from memory.
I heard something behind me, and turned to see two young men, probably in their 20’s , had been walking by and stopped to stare, and so I asked if there was something. They got a embarrassed look and scurried down the aisle.
My new assistant came in and asked what I was doing, and I told her. She smiled and said they probably had never seen someone doing the pledge like that, other than at a ball game or something. And that made me sad.
Things I never envisioned are reality in this land. I guess that makes me old, maybe stupid, or both. I never thought this country would become so turned against itself. The sense that we are all Americans seems supplanted with multi-culturist correctness that makes me want to be ill.
People are afraid say much of anything to each other, even hello. Children fear strangers as potential molesters; police are reviled as uniformed thugs; military service is thought to be something only the less educated seek to do.
My husband has a Master’s degree, and yet when he would talk to people about his service, they (seriously) would ask if that was the only job he could find…such is the rewards of service.
In my office, none of the older men were ever in the military, which I find odd. NOT one. All are in their late 50’s or early 60’s, which means they were in their late teens during end of Vietnam.
Yet in my dad’s generation, WWII and Korea, it seems ALL the men in the family and all my dad’s friends had seen service.
But as they say that was then, this is now. To me, a lot of “now” is overrated…
Me personally think we need to dial back the clock to say 1980, and get out of this malaise...
1980 was just right!
ReplyDeleteNo, not dial back, but work forward. So much of what we were taught as children has turned out to be idealism unrealized in the world.
ReplyDeleteWe should be able to talk to everyone and not get our feathers so ruffled if someone is ignorant, just kindly explain.
I remember learning the pledge in kindergarten. Part of it was learning left from right. :-) The teacher said use the hand you write with, but I think the boy that was having trouble with that part was left-handed.
Morning in America. The ancient truths, and the ideas of freedom and responsibility are not overrated ideas that have been superceded by something better. America has been abused, but we can still remember the what makes the revolution great. It is never too late.
ReplyDeleteOne Nation under God, Indivisible and justice for all... words to live by but Obama wants to edit out of our nation :-( Its a sorry day when your president goes to Foreign Lands and apologizes for stuff he should be proud as an American for accomplishing.
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