The Promise of a Flag

……by Richard Stender

This cloth that shields our fallen comrade,

This banner that we fold, This symbol of our nation,

Makes a pledge that must be told

Our flag now speaks for all of us, harken, hear it tell.

“Thank you for defending me,

Good-bye my friend, sleep well.”

And when you’re asked by spirits past, ‘Are we forgotten yet?”

Please tell them that we honor them, and pledge never to forget.

When memories of their service, may seem to wane and lag,

I’ll e’er be here to say farewell, that’s the promise of your flag.

On November 11, all of America will be honoring the men and women who have served since 1919 and are now serving in our military as we celebrate Veterans Day. The flags at the All Veterans Park will be flown that week in memory of all those in our community lost this past year. They include: Ken Koch, Art Landt, Fritz Fulster, Loren Emke, Roger Rohweder, Richard Svendsen, Max Beck, Ralph Alvestad, Robert Gamble DVM, Keith Johannsen, Clair Goos, Roger Lacina, Rev Jim Engel, Jim Smock, Marvin Crumley, Harry Thoms and Roy Kvidera.

We are here to remind the American people that all who put on our nation’s uniform make a commitment, and in fact sign a blank check payable, to our country for an amount up to and including their very lives. Remember our young men and women in your prayers as they serve our nation and allow us all to live in freedom..Freedom is Not Free.

The Gladbrook Legion has flags for sale for home use. The windy days of the past summer have been hard on the flags around the community and we remind everyone that any flag that is torn or faded should be taken down in respect and then retired properly. The Legion will collect these flags and has a county flag disposal each year. Let’s have all the flags around the community flying proudly this Veterans Day.