Several staffers of The News Courier recently have had reason to rethink our patriotism. Sure, we’ve long considered ourselves patriotic, but do we practice patriotism?
Some veterans from various wars we’ve talked with lately have bemoaned the fact that Americans no longer see the flag for what it really means.
It is not merely a garden decoration, they said.
It is not only a car sticker or a pin on a blouse.
One of our staffers recently attended, as part of a burial detail, the funeral of a deceased local veteran. She learned how even many veterans have come to take the service of their fellow soldiers for granted, but how a steadfast handful remain faithful and true — just like the flag they served under.
As some of the editorial board members attended a Flag Day ceremony at Athens State University and learned the history of Old Glory, it became more evident that many of us do take this important symbol for granted.
In Francis Scott Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner,” the line about our flag’s survival through the battle gives chills: “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,_ gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there ...”
And then when members of our own National Guard unit, the 203rd Military Police Battalion, pulled away from the armory on Father’s Day, with family members in tears, it became impossible to ignore any longer the meaning of the 13 stars and stripes and the 50 stars on the field of blue.
As the red, white and blue rockets of this July Fourth holiday fade, please do not take this flag for granted.
In the words of a song by Shannon Blackburn Gray: “Stand up for America. She stands for you and me.”
Opinion
Old Glory more than a symbol
- Opinion
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Must find a 'realistic' solution to teacher pay
State Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, wants to raise the salaries of some Alabama teachers.
We think his heart’s in the right place, but his aim might be a bit faulty. - Super Bowl players ain’t got nothing on me
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County ahead of curve coordinating tornado recovery
We feel the agencies worked well together and we feel Limestone Countians in general responded with love and compassion to those in need.
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Alabama embracing more green initiatives
According to Green Progress Report authors, Alabama communities are expanding recycling efforts and promoting more green-friendly designs in building projects, particularly in dealing with the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes in April.
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Constraints must be removed for postal service to function properly
As Congress considers legislation to reform the business model of the Postal Service, it must confront a basic choice: to permit the Postal Service to function more as a business does, or constrain it from doing so.
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Feigley’s generous spirit softened loss at Christmastime
A Christmas Tale by Dan Williams
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Investment in Alabama means jobs and revenue
I contend the RSA’s Alabama investments greatly help all Alabamians by creating jobs and tax revenue, greater than any normal return
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Xenophobic: Bet foreign execs know its meaning
If the legislators who pushed this law don’t think that industrial recruiters in other states will attempt to use it as a tool to turn potential foreign investors against locating in Alabama, they simply don’t know how such recruiting works. ...
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Immigrants' contribution to economy is being lost
Say it enough times and maybe it will come true — or maybe people will believe it is true, which can be just as good. That is what supporters of Alabama’s illegal-immigration law must hope will happen.
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We're thankful for a giving community
Residents of Limestone County have much for which to be thankful — a wonderful community, great organizations to support our veterans or neighbors in need, and people who are always willing to come to the aid of others.
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