Flag Day

Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2009 by Travis Cody in
15

I am whatever you make me, nothing more. I am your belief in yourself, your dream of what a people may become.... I am the clutch of an idea, and the reasoned purpose of resolution. I am no more than you believe me to be and I am all that you believe I can be. I am whatever you make me, nothing more. ~Franklin Knight Lane



I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. ~Francis Bellamy, The Youth's Companion, 8 September 1892



This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in. ~Theodore Roosevelt



What we need are critical lovers of America - patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it. ~Hubert H. Humphrey

We need a type of patriotism that recognizes the virtues of those who are opposed to us..... The old "manifest destiny" idea ought to be modified so that each nation has the manifest destiny to do the best it can - and that without cant, without the assumption of self-righteousness and with a desire to learn to the uttermost from other nations. ~Francis John McConnell

15 comments:

  1. Anonymous says:
    14 June, 2009 00:58

    Excllent Trav. I start my First post tomorrow with something for Flag day. Nothing as great as this, but I'm so honored by our flag. You are indeed an inspiration young man. Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to the best symbol of Freedom, Peace and Liberty ever. Aloha :)

  1. Jeni says:
    14 June, 2009 07:31

    Oops! I know June 14th is "Flag Day" but I'm thinking here that had you not posted and reminded us of this, I might have forgotten all about the importance of this day. I really enjoyed the quotes you posted and especially the one by Pres. Teddy Roosevelt. I think that is very much what Pres. Obama means with his ideas about spreading the wealth. Words, that all too often, seem to spark a lot of animosity in so many across the country but I'd like to that that is because they are not putting it into the context meant by that -i.e. Teddy Roosevelt's words. Think that might be it? I'd like to believe taht is how things should be here anyway.
    Thanks for the reminders in this post Trav -very good words indeed.

  1. Linda says:
    14 June, 2009 07:33

    Great post with great pictures and words. I would be willing to bet that most people don't even know why we have Flag Day or how it came about but I blame that on the lack of education about US History in our schools anymore.

    Regardless, though, long may she wave!

  1. Anndi says:
    14 June, 2009 08:48

    "What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility ... a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." - Adlai Stevenson
    You live that quote, my brother... and for that, I respect you immensely.
    Enjoy the day, honour those who serve... do the normal things your freedom ensures.

    SMOOCH

  1. Akelamalu says:
    14 June, 2009 08:55

    It's good to be proud of your flag.

    Here it is deemed racist if we fly our flag in case we upset those who weren't born here! :(

  1. Charles Gramlich says:
    14 June, 2009 09:28

    It's amazing how much emotion people can imbue such objects with. Excellent point.

  1. maryt/theteach says:
    14 June, 2009 12:19

    Thank you, Travis! For the wonderful quotes! And that great Pledge written so long ago!! :)

  1. Anonymous says:
    14 June, 2009 12:53

    Trav: Here's another great post about Flag Day:


    Carleen at Life, Liberty and Good Coffee

  1. Cheesy says:
    14 June, 2009 15:04

    Wonderful post to help us remember we are SO damned lucky....

  1. Mimi Lenox says:
    14 June, 2009 15:19

    Reading what Akelamalu wrote about fying flags in the United Kingdom astounds me. I hope and pray this country never sees the day when we forced to hide the flag for fear of political correctness.

    Great post, Trav.

  1. Janna says:
    14 June, 2009 17:16

    Just stopping by to wish you a good day filled with all the tacos and cake you want.

    :)

  1. John Holland says:
    14 June, 2009 19:04

    Excellent post. The flag holds so much power and means so much to us a country. Hopefully I'll be doing my post tomorrow.

  1. Carleen says:
    14 June, 2009 21:33

    This is one heck of a great post, Travis! I love the quotations that you used -- they are all important and meaningful not just for today, but for every day.

  1. Travis Cody says:
    15 June, 2009 17:58

    Thom: I love that our flag can mean so many different things to different people.

    Jeni: I think sometimes people get so caught up in making their own words heard that they forget to listen.

    Linda: I don't know about most, but perhaps there are some who don't.

    Ann: I saw that quote when I was doing my research.

    Akelamalu: That is very unfortunate. One of the things that flags should represent is unity.

    Charles: Indeed.

    Mary: That is the pledge I have always said with sincerity.

    Thom: Thanks for the reference!

    Cheesy: We are.

    Mimi: As I said to Akelamalu, I think the flag should always represent unity.

    Janna: And right back atcha my dear!

    John: I look forward to your thoughts.

    Carleen: Agreed. Thanks for cruising by!

  1. Julie says:
    23 June, 2009 21:34

    Very good dear friend. Did Taylor have something on the right side of his mouth? Hmmmmm.

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