Posted on 11/11/2006 2:11:57 PM PST by dandelion
Every day, the blue star banner hangs in the window, the yellow ribbon is draped across the front porch light, and the Flag waves in the prairie wind. But the one for whom the Flag waves cannot see it; she is fighting in Iraq.
I suppose one could say it is an exercise in futility - after all, if she cannot see it, why should the homefront be dressed as if every day is Veteran's Day?
Perhaps it is because I am filled with the knowledge of her mission, and want the world to know I support it. Or perhaps my feelings of helplessness at being "the one left behind" are assauged by displaying the colors each day. But it would be folly to imagine that these acts are empty repetitions of decoration, for these acts of devotion have remarkable power, known only to those who understand the blood with which the Flag is bought...
In my mother's bedroom is my father's folded Flag, earned on the beaches of Leyte Gulf; the doily on which it sits is delicate and pristine, but if one could see with the eyes of the Veteran, one would see the bloody footprints of the teenaged Sailor who placed it there...
On the wall is the image of a middle-aged widow in frills; she is smiling and coy, but if one could see with the eyes of the Veteran, one would see the steady faith of the Women's Army Air Corp Lieutenant who served with pride...
In the library is the photo of a young Marine is placed above the classroom Flag; the library is quiet and cozy, but if one could see with the eyes of the Veteran, one would see the sweat-stained handprint of the Cold War Marine who never let it fall...
On the front porch waves the Flag of the United States of America; the porch is shaded and peaceful, but if one could see it with the eyes of the Veteran, one would see the unwavering arms of the young Airman who defends it still today, in Iraq...
and maybe, just maybe if one drove by our front porch at sundown every night, when the Flag is wrapped and retired for the evening, one would see the future Veteran, still a boy, standing duty on the ramparts of the night...
Our Flag is still there
And so every morning begins like the last, and every evening ends like tomorrow, down the line of days until the one for whom the Flag waves comes home. If it seems folly to unfurl the Flag, then it is only the blind who think so; for to those who see with the eyes of the Veteran, every day is Veteran's Day...
Thanks!
Mucho trickos!
bumperooooooooooo!
Dang if my eyes didn't mist up!
That was absolutely beautiful.
Thank you, both.
Excellent!
Thank you!
I sent a link to this thread to my daughter! I'm really hoping she gets a chance to read it - you are all just wonderful. Thank you for your prayers!
Thanks to you for posting a lovely post!
No...thank YOU!
It is a beautiful post.
Continued prayers for your daughter, and her fellow
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.
From, the wife of a Viet Nam vet.
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