Brave Americans pay price of liberty

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“The whole inspiration of our life as a nation flows out from the

waving folds of this banner.”

-- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

“Our flag is our national ensign, pure and simple, behold it!

Listen to it! Every star has a tongue, every stripe is articulate.”

-- ROBERT C. WINTHROP

I love the American flag, and I love to watch it fly. I love all

that it represents, and I love to see it flying proudly in different

locations around town.

On a recent walk, I enjoyed seeing the flag flying at several

different places. At one house, the flag carried the message, “We

Support Our Troops.”

I thought about our troops and realized that we need to remember

to continue holding them up in prayer. We have freedom today in our

country, thanks to all the men and women in the past who sacrificed

for the sake of freedom, and there are countless brave young men and

women who are sacrificing today.

Liberty comes at a great cost, and we need to pray for the safety

of those who are sacrificing for it today.

As I noticed and focused on the flag, I began to feel patriotic

and sang the two songs that I know about our flag. I think it is only

fitting to share the words of the songs with you as we begin to

celebrate the Fourth of July.

*

“The Star Spangled Banner”

By Francis Scott Key

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,

O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there

Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

*

“You’re a Grand Old Flag”

By George M.

Cohan

You’re a grand old flag,

You’re a high flying flag,

And forever in peace may you wave,

You’re the emblem of the land I love,

The home of the free and the brave

Every heart beats true ‘neath the Red, White and Blue

Where there’s never a boast or brag,

But should old acquaintance be forgot,

Keep your eye on the grand old flag!

*

I love the flag, and I love to watch it fly. Long may it wave!

I also love our country. Happy Birthday America, and Happy Fourth

of July to you!

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

[email protected] or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.