Sister Joy Marie taught my fellow elementary school classmates and me the words — and how to sing those words — to many patriotic songs. “America The Beautiful.” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” “The Star Spangled Banner.” The list goes on. We not only sang the songs, but we were taught the meanings. Most importantly, we were instructed to respect those meanings, those words and the American flag.
Admittedly, that was a different time. It was 1976, and most every American was celebrating our country’s bi-centennial by paying tribute to the historical events that led up to the creation of the United States of America. Even so, what we learned about our nation — and the need to respect it — stuck with me.
As an athlete, I continued to show that respect to the flag and to our fallen soldiers. Our national anthem would play at every wrestling meet, and I would get goosebumps each time I heard “our flag was still there.” I don’t know why. I just did. I still do.
Today, I fly the American flag in front of my home. Not because I belong to a certain political party (I don’t) or served in the military (I didn’t) or want to push a personal agenda (I won’t). It is because I am truly thankful for my rights.
Just a few weeks ago, Gary “Slick” Rees pulled up a chair next to me at lunch. He noticed we didn’t have a flag on the pole in front of our new office in Guthrie Center, and he asked if I wanted one. I told him I had planned to do that. He said, “I got it covered.” And he did. Within a few days, Old Glory was flying. Gary wouldn’t take a dime and didn’t want any recognition. He asked that I give credit to Ron Baier, who was a leader in so many flags being flown in Guthrie County. So, I absolutely credit Ron, and I owe my appreciation to Slick, too.
That flag is a reminder to me of freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, and the right to peaceably assemble, and to be able to petition our government. I cherish that I can openly practice my religion, and that others can, too. I value that I have the right to keep and bear arms, even though I choose not to. I revere the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. I hope I don’t ever have to justify these rights or the many others I am afforded as a United States citizen, but I rest peacefully knowing I can.
As a continual reminder of these rights, and many others, I continue to fly the Stars and Stripes, and I look forward to my next round of goosebumps. Thank you, Slick.
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-755-2115
