Have you ever been awe struck? The kind of speechlessness where you are bursting to say something, to express yourself, but words seem too simple. It’s been a little over a week since I watched the colors being presented, the giant cake ever so slowly being guided across the carpet and the 50+ men and women play the Battle Hyme of the Republic on instruments shined to perfection. The cake was cut by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The first piece was given to Ret. General Alfred M. Gray, Jr., who served as the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He, in turn, served a piece to the oldest Marine in the room. She, yes she, just celebrated her 97th birthday. She in turn shared with the youngest Marine who just turned 21.
The room was filled with just under 3000 men and women who celebrate this country and who uphold all it stands for. I looked around and found no way to capture my thoughts. Pure awe. These are the people who protect, who serve, who boldly go into harms way for … us. For us.
I am an American citizen. I have been since birth. I have an unapologetic patriotism and a strong sense of pride in all things America. My father gave his life for this country and our freedoms. Likely this is where my unabashed love for this country comes from. Living by Camp Pendleton, I’ve spent 12 years alongside our military community providing service where I could and giving back in whatever ways were presented. Hang with me here, I have a point…
I’ve been in the delivery room with young wives, on the phone with their deployed husbands, as they gave birth. I’ve sat with wives as they received news of the death of their spouse, and I’ve stood graveside as a husband, a child, or a wife was buried. I’ve shed tears of joy and tears of anguish and held the hand of the grieved. I’ve celebrated their successes and helped shore them up after their failures.
These are the men, women and families whose sweat, tears and blood stain the ground we stand on. We stand on sacred ground here in the United States. Ground bestowed to us from our fathers and our father’s fathers. We are the United States of America. Let that resonate with you. We. Are. The. United. States. Of. America.
We have democracy. We have freedom. We have luxury like no other country. We have the right to speak up when we disagree. To step forward when we see the unjust. To lend a hand when we see a fellow citizen fall. We ARE blessed.
The flag that is displayed on front porches, businesses, post offices and flag poles throughout this nation is our greatest symbol of freedom. You have the right to disagree with political parties, elected candidates and public policies. That right has been preserved for you. Men and women have laid down their lives for your right.
But, you cannot and do not have the right to disrespect this country. I do not recognize your right to burn the American Flag – the symbol of our freedom. I do not recognize your right to express your disagreement, disapproval or disappointment with violence, anger or vile commentary. I do not recognize your right to throw a temper tantrum when things don’t go your way.
Speak up. Write it. Say it. Make a statement. Be clear and intelligent. Use the avenues available to you.
If you want to throw tantrums in the street, disrespect this country, cast vile and angry verbiage and burn my symbol of freedom – I’m not listening. You embarrass yourself and this country.
Just the thoughts of the daughter of a United States Marine, KIA 21 Feb 1965, Vietnam.
