Replies

It saddens me to remember when I was a kid in elementary school in rural Florida in the mid-50’s the America Mark talks about here was the America we were taught about. Whether it was singing the national anthem, saying the pledge of allegiance to the flag, removing your hat and covering your heart with your hand when a flag passes by in a parade, or taking part in a school activity to burn the retiring flag that had flown over the school for the last year or so, we did it with great pride.

I know America was, and is, far from perfect, but I liked those days. I’m sure my memories of them have only been made better by the passing of 60 years, but standing every morning while a bugle played the call to colors and the patrol boys raised the flag in front of the school were part of what made my youth what it was, and therefore what I am as an adult.

It’s interesting, and depressing, that it takes a French President or an Brit to say the things about America that its leaders used to profess half-a-century ago.

God bless America, and the men and women who serve to protect and defend her in God-forsaken countries half-way around the world. Whether in Iraq or on board the two navy ships that already on station to help the victims of the latest storm in one of the poorest nations on Earth, they are there and have been there for over 200 years.

Words cannot express the disdain I have for the Pelosis and Kennedys, Reids and Murthas of the world who talk of respecting the troops but whose actions speak anything but respect and support.

There, I feel better.