Remembering those who gave their all for freedom

war. Some are currently dying in that effort.

Those who trample on our flag not only dishonor their memories, but prove they themselves are stupid ingrates.

General George Patton said of the war dead, “We should not grieve that men such as these have died. We should thank God that men such as these have lived.”

It is their spirit and devotion of our nation that needs us to give our lives, not necessarily in death, but in devotion to the principles that made America great.

If you dislike a president, don’t let him diminish your devotion. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President.” It is a blessed day when the people can do both.”

Don’t let the government in general dilute your devotion to the country. Mark Twain observed, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and the government when it deserves it.”

Each of us can identify things we don’t like about America, things about which we are critical. I don’t like it that some areas of the country have taken “one nation under God” out of our pledge. We should remember the sage wisdom of President Reagan who opined “If we forget we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”

At Gettysburg President Lincoln paid tribute to people of valor as he said, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to that great task remaining before us -that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain --that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom....”

Rudyard Kipling offered a prayer that needs to be prayed by all: “Lord of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget!”