Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Fourth of July

I've been thinking this morning, about the Fourth of July.  What it means to me, is my experience different than yours?  This morning the ward (parish) put on a 4th of July breakfast.  It's kind of a tradition now, seeing as how this is probably the fourth or fifth iteration.  I'm glad they do it.  To be honest, it's a little hokey, because the Cub and Boyscouts are in charge of a flag ceremony that kicks off the event.  The first couple of years I was a little too focused on the protocol of how the boys and the leaders were conducting the ceremony.  I'll be perfectly honest with you, watching people salute with only one or two fingers really makes my skin crawl.  But, to be honest again, I understand that's the method which has been approved by the Cub and Boyscout organizations.  Additionally, the boys aren't always so reverent, but they're getting better. 

Today we were running a little late.  I sent Josh on ahead in his bike. He had his scout uniform on.   It was even tucked into his pants.  Which, considering he rarely comes his hair, or ever wears anything but basketball shorts of late is quite a feat.  Josh is really growing up by the way.  I wrestled with him, his mom, and the other kids last night in the family room.  He's not as easy to throw around as he once was.  In fact, I tried to lift him over my head a couple of times, and I'm thinking that those days are numbered down into less than triple digits at this point.  He's solid and muscled that kid.  Anyhow, you slap his scout shirt on him and splash his face off with water and he almost looks like a young man.  So Josh let out on his bike, and pretty soon Lexi was there asking me if Hallee could go with us.  To which, in a moment of sheer inspiration, I suggested they take Isabelle and start walking over.  I did that, because, I knew we would be at least twenty minutes late waiting on Stacey.  I love that girl, but I swear to all that's holy I'm gonna start her funeral 28 minutes late just to complete the circuit.  Anyhow, I guess beautiful has a price, and in this case it's punctuality.

So, where were we? Ah yes, so Stacey, and Olivia and Sam and I piled into the Pilot and make the two blocks over to the church.  On our way, immediately outside of our circle, almost in sepia tone, was an old 1970's Ford pickup.  It was at one time red and white, but now was closer to orange and rust.  As soon as I saw the truck, from behind it appeared two or three scouts.  They were putting the flags out into the park strips in front of every house.  In the back of this pickup, like a bouquet of Freedom, the Stars and Stripes where draped over the upright tail gate.  It was surreal.  I really got choked up to be honest.  It was a beautiful moment I tell you.  The sun had been up about an hour and a half, and the smoke from the recent fires along the Wasatch Front were casting a haze across the highest peaks.  It looked like the mists on Mount Olympus would if you were some sort of demi-god come to pick a fight with Zeus.  Anyhow, so the splashes of intense colors were almost too much for me.  The filtered sunlight, and the dramatic slow motion movement of these young men and one adult paying respects to our Nation were incredible.  Where else are you going to see this?  Where, other than your home town, are you going to see a beloved pickup truck which I betcha ten bucks smells like hay, is going to transport the beloved symbol of our America?  I've seen the flag fly over American Embassies in Turkey and Morocco.  I've walked past a flag on Naval Airstation Atsugi Japan every day on my way to work as a young sailor.  I've saluted the Ensign and requested permission to come aboard an American aircraft carrier, aptly named the U.S.S. Independence.  I've seen a flag flown for my own father and one for my inlaws flown over Camp Victory, Iraq and presented them with a certificate signed by General George Casey.  I have even seen and visited the very Fort where Francis Scott Key penned the Star Spangled Banner.  It took place at Fort McHenry, Baltimore Maryland if you didnt know.  I was there during a National Guard Conference where they had period dress Soldiers, and ships in the harbor and dramatic and moving recreations of that fateful event.  But I have NEVER seen the flag so vibrant, so beautiful, so incredibly alive with color and promise, as I did today.

I know, it's a bit much to swallow for you.  But I mean it all.  I guess I got thinking, why does Old Glory affect me this way.  To be honest, a lot of people would suggest it has to do with military service.  Which, is part of the equation to be sure.  But that's not all it is to me.  I think this celebration is more than another Veteran's Day.  It's more than Memorial Day.  This is the day we celebrate the personal courage and sacrifice of men who were willing to lay their entire fortune, and sacred honor on the line.  This is the day we celebrate common rabble, who dared to defy their king, in order to provide a venue and land free of tyranny, where men and women could pursue their own happiness.  I mean, that's it isn't it? In a nutshell?  That men, who held, 'these truths to be self evident. That ALL men, are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.'  How powerful a declaration.  In the truest sense of the word.  That these men would, knowing they faced financial ruin, charges of treason, would pledge their sacred honor to defend this premise.  Almost too much to bear to think about.  How is it, that these men would have the personal courage and the foresight to dare to make these claims. That their vision, of separate States and colonies could possibly form a representative democracy.  The Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence are in the truest sense American scripture.  They both refer to a Creator, they both refer to and invoke in their charter.  I'm not sure that a case can really be made against it.

So, today, is not about Soldiers.  It's not about the Founding Fathers.  It's not about George Washington, Ma, Apple Pie and Norman Rockwell images.  America is, has been, and with maintenance and selflessness, will continue to be a land of vast opportunity.  The 4th of July is about opportunity, about promise.  About safety, about intellectual promises and virtues that extend beyond a single day.  I guess, when someone shook my hand today, and thanked me for my service, while I waited in line for pancakes, I was a little resistant.  I appreciate the sentiment, believe me, I do.  But to me, the 4th of July isn't just for Soldiers, Airmen, Marines or the Coast Guard.  It's more than firetrucks and volunteer firemen.  It's bigger than 17 year old girls who are crowned royalty for their little city for a year.  It's bigger than the Patriot Riders in the parade, bigger than the Allstate float.  It's about the promise.  America's promise.  I'll go you one further, America has made a covenant between this sacred land, it's Creator, and it's people.  All of which hinge on our continued realization of that fact. 

I have had a wonderful holiday thus far today.  I've felt my heart of hearts swell with the beauty and majesty of our great nation.  I guess all I want to say, is thanks America.  Thank you for those that have set the bar almost impossibly high.  Thanks for my grandad who was a Merchant Marine in WWII. Thanks for my dad for being a volunteer fireman, an EMT, and a Sailor.  Thank you for a small town, where I had 80 acres of alfalfa, a dog and a pellet gun   Thank you for hot dogs and the horrible way they can affect health.  Thanks for making it my choice, and not my governments.  Thank you for smokers.  Thank you for drinkers.  Thank you for priests and little old blind Italian ladies that can't wait to feed you spagetti.  Thanks for the double decker buses in New York, for the faces on Mount Rushmore and the gum on the railing as I look across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.  Thank you for Ellis Island, and the racial epitaths that have resulted from your shorthand.  America, thank you for the lessons I have personally learned.  For the opportunity inherent and too often dormant.  You truly are, a land of milk and honey.

I gotta go now.  I just wanted to share that with you.  I hope you stand a little taller this evening.  If you're going to the park, to watch the fireworks, pay attention.  I'll bet you a dozen donut holes that a group of Veteran's are conducting a flag ceremony while you're busy gabbing.  Please quell your conversations for those few fleeting moments. Please dont miss this sacred opportunity for reverence.  Please internalize and renew your own promise to be a more active participant in this representative democracy.  Whatever this day means to you, please take a moment to share that with your children, your neighbors, and let you're own love of country continue to expand the hope and promise of this day.

All the best to you and yours,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru40GiejGDg&feature=related

J