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An
Independence Day Thought:
The focal point of this unique, all-American Holiday to freedom, is the American flag – the red, white and blue – old glory waving proudly in all and every appropriate spot throughout the land. It is to be honored and respected as the symbol of America – A banner that millions of former military and veterans fought and died for throughout the existence of this country. The vast majority of Americans believe in this symbol, yet there are the radical pro-testers, the malcontents seeking another cause, who to call attention to themselves, would trample, desecrate, burn or spoil this greatest of all symbols of our heritage, our freedoms – the cherished American flag. Prior to 1989 it was considered a crime to desecrate or burn our flag, but at that time, the weakening US Supreme Court started its downward spiral to placate and to pacify a few minorities who sought some sort of attention to their radical causes, such as taking God out of the classrooms and not allowing children to recite the pledge of allegiance in the classrooms. Despite the objections of the vast majority of Americans, the Supreme Court made its decision that desecration or burning the flag by protesters is simply a form of Freedom of Speech! Flag desecration is not free speech and goes against America’s thinking. Yes – our society does consider free speech a cherished right and those millions of veterans have fought and died for that right—But to a man or woman the Military and Veterans alike fighting under the guidance of that flag, object most strenuously to any form of desecration to our beautiful and proud symbol of America that represents our heritage. The US Congress is once again trying to correct the Supreme Court’s error of the past by passing a constitutional amendment to outlaw flag burning and desecration. On June 23, 2005, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to support this Amendment and so once again it is in the hands of the US Senate. This issue should be nonpartisan, but once again, it has fallen on Party lines. There is no question that, in time of war, to show support for all of our troops, and to the World, the US Flag Protection Act must be passed at this time. Sadly I must point out to all local vet-erans, the Military and their families that once again Massachusetts Democratic Senators, Edward Kennedy and John Kerry have spoken out against the flag burning a-mendment, saying they didn’t think it worth a Constitutional change. These two voted against a similar change in March, 2000. The Veterans and Military of America say to you Senators that we believe that a change should be made now, as the desecration of the flag is not an expression of Free Speech! It is simply vandalism! Over 1 million of our Military have paid the supreme sacrifice defending the values of this flag and were brought home to be buried under that symbol of freedom and liberty. Whether you support the situation in Iraq or not, we are involved in a global war on terrorism that is not just unique to that country. Veterans and their families have unhappily watched the unraveling of this great country with the constant negative criticisms of all issues on the war. It has undermined our resolve and is unfair to our troops fighting on the front lines. This should not be done during wartime, and it hurts the overall war effort while helping the enemy. We pray that those in power will heal and bind up their own political wounds as the safety of America comes first, and the protection of our troops are paramount at all costs. We must once again
become united and truly the United States of America as
we continue to fight this war on Terrorism.
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July
is the month of our Nation’s birthday. It’s
Independence Day. It’s the Fourth of July in the
good old US of A with fireworks, bar-becues, trips to the
beach and gathering of old and dear friends, as we
celebrate with a patriotic party, the birth of this great
country and all it stands for in its short time of
independence.