Independence Day

My flag is flying today, off my back porch, making that flapping sound in the wind, which, for some reason takes my memory back to relive some fond memories.  I think that’s good for my mind to do sometimes—to relive the memories and bathe the neurons once again with past glories, perhaps for the simple reason that it reminds me of where I was then, where I am now, and realizing that things certainly could have gone in a different direction if I simply did not take that oath in front of the flag and those officers who served in Vietnam and gave me the oath to defend the United States of America: 

I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  So help me God.

Certain factions have been lobbying to remove that last sentence in this oath, and also the oath of allegiance to the flag, but so far, they have failed. Thankfully, so help me God remains.

How many young people feel the same about the country now, and want to serve in some way, whether it be in the military or perhaps in some other service?  From what I have read, the numbers are dwindling, and the armed forces are having trouble meeting their quotas.  What is the reason for this? I’m not exactly sure, but I have noticed that the culture and society has changed a lot since I was younger.

Most younger people do not even know what the year 1776 means, or who our fledgling country just declared Independence from.  It was a life and death struggle these patriots faced, for their way of life, and precious freedoms that they were not afforded under English rule.  This included the Bill of Rights, and the first amendment—freedom of religion and the second amendment— the right to bear arms.

Perhaps the educational system, which too often refuses to teach real history, but instead paints it in a false and accusatory political brush, named CRT, is one of the most dangerous foes we face in this country. Our freedoms are not guaranteed, and they can be taken from us at any time, if we put our guard down and allow it.

We do not need to be afraid of the WOKE movement, and well-funded front organizations for socialism, accusing people of racism for no reason, or bigotry for no reason, such that normal, hard-working Americans are now afraid to say their opinions without being canceled by the small, but very loud minority of people who refuse to understand the blessings they receive in this country, but instead, endeavor to tear down institutions that don’t fit into their narrative.

We are in war now, within this country I love, and this war is within the supposed borders which in effect, are non-existent.  We have leaders who are not real leaders, with honest hearts, but instead are driven by the wind of the loudest voices, how raise their voices so as to drown out facts and truths that are obvious to most of us.

As for me, I will fight for my country.  Maybe not overseas as a soldier at this age, but certainly from within, defending her against those who wish to destroy her and say that she is, incorrectly, a racist country or a country we should not be proud of.   My opinion, is those people live in a boat with a small hole in it, and to plug up the holes in their tattered boat, they try to take our institutions with them, hoping to destroy the best of the best that has been a beacon of hope to the world for over 200 years.

Yes, when I was a boy scout, we had a huge flag that flapped and cracked in the wind, as I blew my bugle in the mornings with reveille and taps in the evening.  And we all saluted with pride.

There was a flag in my school and we all said allegiance to it.

There was a huge flag at the U.S. Air Force Academy which I saluted sharply many times, as we marched by, marching to the patriotic marching songs played by the highly skilled Air Force Marching band, assigned to the academy, for the soul purpose of helping us march.   I do remember the thousands of civilians watch us march, especially on July 4, 1976, at the Academy, as the Thunderbirds thundered overhead with cracking air currents.  It was, after all the U.S Centennial celebration, 1176 to 1976.

I also remember my tough week in the Prisoner of War compound training after my first year, and how grueling and psychologically draining it was, but at the end, they raised the American Flag, again, flapping and cracking in the wind, high up over the compound, signaling that we have been rescued by our own soldiers.  That put a tear in my eye and warmth in my chest, as I saluted.  It was not because the training was over, but, instead because of overwhelming pride and patriotism.  This event stands with me even today, many years later and will never evaporate from my lucky soul

But I ask my readers, who feels this too when they see the stars and stripes, raised high up into the air?

And, if you call yourself an American and yet, you show no pride in being here in this blessed country, the envy of the world, refuse to salute the flag or burn it, you had better not do it in front of me, or I will make sure you are shipped off to another country in the world who does not respect our freedoms, and it will be a one-way ticket.

S.R. Carson 2022