[June 14, 2021] Early this morning, I placed 13 U.S. flags outside my residence before the sun rose above the horizon. I do so because this is not just any Flag Day for me. I encourage everyone to proudly and properly display your U.S. flag on your home, business, church/synagogue, or wherever you can give respect to the flag.
My view is not like so many others. My son and daughter, for example, will be celebrating Flag Day by having a cookout with friends. Good for them. Others will do the same. I cheer them on, so long as they recall why we have such an honored day.
When I look at the U.S. flag, those hung on our city’s streets and hung from buildings throughout my community; I see something different. For some reason, my mind takes me to those times, seeing the flag covering the coffins of the many who gave their lives for our nation and our freedom.
A few days ago, I attended the funeral of a good friend of mine. He was a retired Navy Captain, winner of many awards that he and his men deserved for their action in the Persian Gulf. A three-person detail fired 21 shots at the gravesite – a wartime custom once used to announce that the battlefield had been cleared of the dead and the fighting could resume.
I’ll remember the great times we had together, such as cheering on our respective teams in the Army-Navy football games or finding time to sit and relax to smoke a good cigar. We did not see much of each other these years as our careers demanded more responsibility from both of us. His life was lived with honor and integrity. He was a champion of America, and I’m darn proud of him.
Back to those 13 U.S. flags in my yard. I display 13 flags to honor 13 of my best friends killed in combat since 9/11. I still see their faces, hear their laugh, and miss them dearly. That is no hyperbole. It is real for me, and that is a good thing. I will never forget that I got to meet some of America’s finest heroes only by chance.
These flags will remain standing all this week. As my grandkids come to visit, they will surely ask why all the flags. Wow, do I have some stories to tell.
Honor your country, your community, and your family.
I had a great day yesterday … Flag Day … I went to 2, yes 2 parades near where I live. Boy, did I do well. Cooked out in the backyard, had family and friends over, and we talked about how much our American flag meant to us. Great times can be had.
Yeah, I had several friends over as well. Great day for free peoples.
Thanks to all who commented here and are true patriots. I’m happy to be counted among them.
HAPPY FLAG DAY, everyone. And, by that, I mean everyone who wants to be free. Many of our younger people want security over freedom. Good enough, now put your money where your mouth is and move to Russia, China, North Korea, or Cuba. Your choice. Pick one. I’ll bet none of them do because they know they are liars.
Pow, hit ’em where it hurts. But, alas, they have absolutely no clue what they are doing.
He He, good one Ben. Thanks so much. 👍 I like to think that when I teach High School, my students at least understand.
Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for highlighting our flag and what it stands for and for supporting those who are true American Patriots. I was soooo happy when I read your article on why you are an American patriot. Keep up the great works.
This article caught my eye and thought I would share it.
“Two Flags Over Maine (and America)”
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/10/opinion/maine-flag-day-america.html
Thanks Tom, excellent.
“You’re a grand old flag, you’re a high-flying flag…” — George M. Cohan
Happy Birthday, sweetheart. You’re turning 244 on Monday — Flag Day — still as beautiful as ever. You haven’t aged a bit, and for all you’ve been through since 1777, that’s saying something.
Bless the flag and the good old USA.
You got that right Yusaf. Please, fly this flag on June 14. Now the flag has 50 stars (since July 4, 1960) representing the 50 states of the United States. The 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies. As you go about your day today, remember it is Flag Day, a day to honor and respect this nation’s greatest symbol.
Yep! Bless the flag. Hold it high. Display it with pride. I do.
When I see our beautiful 50 stars and 13 red and white stripes, I think about the many times I’ve seen this flag draped over the casket of my fallen brothers and sisters.
Well said, Darwin. 😊
To me, the stitches that hold our flag together represent the brave men and women who protect us and our families. Like the stitches on a flag, the men and women who came home in those caskets adorned with the stars and stripes are the ones that hold this whole experiment in Democracy together. Because of them, all Americans wake up every day safe, protected and free.
Wow, well said, Eric Coda. You da man!
Yes Eric. The symbolism goes deep. I am proud of the fact that we all can come to this website without interferrence from all the radicals in our govt and the appointed experts that give us bad info and are bad leaders.
As our military continues to lead the way defending Liberty under our proud national banner, join us in prayer for all of our military Patriots standing in harm’s way, and their families awaiting their safe return.
We American Patriots honor the history of our national flag and display it with pride.
Our flag is a beacon of Liberty, a symbol of hope for all people who “hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed — that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…”
👍👍👍👍👍 Yep, couldn’t have said it better. General Satterfield has again, given us something to think about.
Well said. Too many people in the US take all their freedoms for granted. We can be smart and work hard, stay out of trouble, and honor our families and community OR we can be stupid and rally against a “racist” America. Which do you chose?
The choice to regular readers of Gen. Satterfield’s blog is obvious. We chose the side with the greatest responsibility to do good in our communities.
Thank you Jonnie, spot on. Okay folks, let’s carry on as well. I will celebrate Flag Day altho I have to work today. I’ll work and be thinking of the freedom our flag represents.
I chose freedom, responsibility to maintain that freedom, and willingness to never back down defending it.
This is, indeed, a great day for all freedom-loving peoples because that is what Flag Day is for us. America is the beacon of hope.
Although I’m a Brit from across the pond, I believe this as well. Cheers.
Flag Day! Hooray!