Friend,
I’m just a flag waving American. I make no apologies for the flag and what she represents, I say “She” because Old Glory represents more than freedom—she represents life.
And the only life I’ve ever known—that any American has ever known--is a life of liberty and the freedom to pursue happiness however they see fit within the guidelines of law and propriety.
These are “givens” to us who wake up every day with the freedom to work, play, worship and travel without permission, papers or question.
I am free to say just about anything I want to without fear of retaliation (I would hope I would use some discretion and sense of what’s appropriate) and probably one of the most important privileges I have as a citizen of this country is the right to assembly. These rights are protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
One of the most vivid memories I have as a school age child is standing in the classroom with my hand over my heart and reciting the “pledge of allegiance.”
Everyone knows it.
Well that’s what I thought until I realized that many children in public school no longer do that, at the least the version I learned. People have the idea that the origins of the pledge are Anti-American and we certainly can’t be a nation “under God” if we want to make sure everyone is “comfortable” here.
The flag isn’t about comfort and it isn’t a decoration or an ornament to be displayed on certain holidays. It stands for something bigger and greater than itself—it speaks of the price of freedom—even the sacrifice of life to maintain it.
When I was a child, I didn’t understand the difference between a republic or a police state, but my heart knew. Every time I stood to say the pledge, I knew I was a lucky kid to live in this country and to enjoy the opportunities I would have because of it.
Lady Liberty in New York harbor welcomed my grandparents with a flaming torch and an invitation for “tired, poor and huddled masses—
YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE.”
We’re born with that desire. It is the very imprint of God on our hearts and souls.
As you celebrate today—Independence Day—salute the flag, thank a vet and thank God you are an American!
For the Republic,
Gary Emineth
District 35 Candidate
ND State Senate
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