Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Flag Day!!




We fly these flags all summer until Labor Day. We love our flag and country in this house. It evokes all sorts of emotions in me and many others. During World War II, my father was on a ship that helped save some men when their ship was torpedoed. Among the survivors was a gravely injured sailor, who before dying, handed my father a small blood stained flag he had in his pocket. He told my father he wanted to pass something on to him before he died. He lived only a few minutes after this exchange.
I never knew this story until after my father died and going through his things I found this small, very worn and stained little flag. My mother then told me the story. I cried. Why hadn't my father ever shared this with us? I suspect it was very emotional for my father. He and others witnessed so much loss perhaps it was easier to just tuck it away and never bring it up again. I choose to think of it as a wonderful story of the sacrifices made by our soldiers.


The neighbors flying the start and stripes. Now there is still daylight so go fly your flags!

10 comments:

  1. I'm so proud of my American neighbors,, such much pride and rightly so,,what a touching story,, very touching,, thankyou for sharing this,

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  2. A lovely story! My flag is waving proudly from our front porch too!!!!

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  3. I had to take mine down due to the wind! ...and our umbrella....Yikes!

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  4. A very touching story.... thanks for sharing it with us. Just goes to illustrate the sacrifices that have been made, so that we can fly and honor our flag. Mine blows in the breeze every morning, and is taken down and stored inside at night.
    I love this saying....'Land of the brave, because of the free.'
    Happy Flag Day :)

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  5. Thank you to your father and your comrades. What a precious story. What a special father he was. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. We too fly the flag I would love to find a flag bracket like the one you have.
    Cathy

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  7. Hi Elaine...I'm a new reader to your blog and I am very impressed with what I see...
    Can I tell you, that I am truly PROUD to be an American! Such beauty is in the American Flag...

    Thanks for sharing this post...

    Blessins,
    shug

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  8. What a beautiful and touching story about your Dad and his friend!
    I'm sure he did have very deep emotions attached to that old flag.
    Many such sacrifices often go unspoken of and hidden away.. but may the Lord reward openly those who laid down their lives for others!
    Thank you for linking this to LACE today :-)
    blessings..Trish

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  9. Hi Elaine,
    What a beautiful story, you must be very proud of your Dad.
    God Bless
    Barb from Australia

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