June 14, Flag Day. A day set aside for observance that is not often remembered.
The terrorist attack on 9/11 triggered a call for patriotism. Streets were lined with flags displayed proudly on homes and businesses. Many wore American flag lapel pins symbolizing support for the nation. It’s been 20 years since that fateful day. Are we still as patriotic?
It wasn’t long after 9/11, June 2002, that the Pledge of Allegiance came under attack, with a federal court ruling that the phrase “under God” was unconstitutional (the Supreme Court later reversed the decision). It was then that I considered the words of the pledge and penned a poem. Here are some excerpts from it:
“I pledge allegiance to this flag / And to the people for which it stands / I pledge allegiance to you / If you’re down, I will help you up / If you’re cold, I will give you warmth / If you’re weak, I will be your strength / A three-strand cord is stronger than one / I pledge allegiance to you / We are one nation under God / United by the blood that was shed for us / When united we stand, we cannot fail / The cause of the Lord will prevail / He pledged allegiance to us.”
Mary Ann Sarafin
Imperial