Technorati Tags: politics

Technorati Tags: Abraham Lincoln, patriotism

Technorati Tags: Henry Ward Beecher, Patriotic Quotes, patriotism

Technorati Tags: Mark Twain, patriotism

Technorati Tags: patriotism, Quote of the Day

HONORING THE STARS AND STRIPES

Patriotism is much more than treating the flag with respect, but it certainly includes honoring the flag and appreciating what it represents.

I Am Old Glory

I Am Old Glory: For more than ten score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans.
Born amid the first flames of America’s fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states.
Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions.
Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage.
They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity.
They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men.
So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America.

Originally written by Master Sergeant Percy Webb, USMC.

Our Flag

by Sharon Price Anderson

Our flag has a message for you and for me
and all who inhabit the land of free.
We must stand for the right as others have done
for that is the way independence was won
by those who loved freedom and fought for her cause
then established a government based on God’s laws.

Others fought bravely the truth to defend
And freedom blessed our beautiful land.
With each generation prosperity grew
for each person was free his life’s work to pursue
and every citizen, regardless of station,
could proudly share in the hope of the nation.

Today our flag beckons for patriots who
will stand and be faithful, courageous, and true.
We can strengthen our country by choosing what’s right,
and honor the ensign of liberty’s light,
that others will also her glory remember
and hold high the standard of freedom forever.

(“Our Flag” was first published in Freeman Family Fun summer 1984)

Here are some excerpts about the history of Flag Day from www.usflag.org :

The idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as ‘Flag Birthday’. . .
Flag Day – the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 – was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. While Flag Day was celebrated in various communities for years after Wilson’s proclamation, it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

Today is also a good day to review Flag Ettiquette.  What is the proper way to display the flag?  When and how should the flag be saluted?  To answer these and other questions go to http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html http://www1.va.gov/opa/feature/celebrate/flagdisp.asp

I hope times like this help us all to value our families and make the most of every day.

For those of us who have faced death with the loss of very close loved ones, the promise of the empty tomb has the power to take us through the pain if we will reach for the hope.

Technorati Tags: death in Moapa Valley

The Coming of Spring

The signs are all around us in Utah–warmer temperatures, robins calling each morning as the eastern sky begins to brighten, daffodils blooming on the south side of the house . . .all reminding us that the earth is awakening from winter and that it is time for planting.

As Friday’s equinox marks a lengthening of days, something else, of special significance to Latter-day Saints, is taking place as the Church’s 129th  temple, located in Draper, Utah is being dedicated in 12 separate dedicatory sessions March 20-22 .

We believe that because of their special purpose, our temples benefit all mankind. We invite our friends of other faiths to rejoice with us at this time, to view some of the temples, inside and out, and to learn a little more about why these temples are so significant.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Following Him

Jesus Christ is the Great Exemplar. He set a perfect example for us to follow. The more we learn about His life and teachings the easier it becomes to answer the question, “What would Jesus do?”

There are many beautiful songs that encourage children as well as adults to follow Him. Here some lyrics from a few that come to mind:

Come follow me, the Savior said. Then let us in His footsteps tread. For thus alone can we be one with God’s own loved, begotten Son.

Jesus once was a little child, a little child like me, and he was pure and meek and mild as a little child should be. So little children, let’s you and I try to be like Him, try, try, try.

I’m trying to be like Jesus. I’m following in His way. I’m trying to love as He did in all that I do and say.. . .I’m trying to love my neighbor. I’m learning to serve may friends. I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again. I try to remember the lessons he taught. Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying, “Love one another as Jesus loves you. try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught.”

If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do? Would I think of his commandments and try harder to be true? Would I follow His example, would I live more righteously, if I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?

As you ponder these and similar questions, listen to these lovely young women sing this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6wApf0xZag