Do you know this man? Do you recognize him?
He could be your grandfather, or your father, or your brother! Maybe he looks like your uncle or your cousin...!
When you see an older man like this gentleman, you can almost guarantee that he is a Veteran!
When was the last time that you paid a visit to who ever this old man reminds you of? When was the last time that you spent some time with them, just talking to them and letting them know you were thinking about them?
When was the last time you just walked up to him, gave him a hug, and told him "Thank you"? It doesn't take very long, and it could mean the world to this man!
There he sits, his best friend beside him with a look of love in his eyes! The dog knows what a great guy his owner is, without question!
See the Flag next to the old man? Notice the fondness and respect the old man has in his eyes as he looks at the Flag? You can bet that the Flag, and what it stands for, is never far from the thoughts and the heart of this proud individual!
Here in the next picture we can see a parade in Everytown, U.S.A. coming down the street. There may be a similar parade scheduled this up-coming holiday weekend in your hometown. Remember, it is Memorial Day weekend!
See that group of men in uniform leading the parade? That's called the Honor Guard! It's called that for a good reason...!
See what they are carrying? That's the American Flag, the Colors that represent your country! That's the Flag that represents what this old guy, and many others just like him, fought and bled and died for!
That's the reason that this old guy, bound to his wheel chair because he is probably unable to walk, is bravely trying to stand up as the Flag approaches!
His intent? To show his respect...!
Now why aren't the rest of the folks around there standing? Why are they still sitting on their butts when the Flag approaches? Why don't they stand with their hand over their hearts when the National Anthem is played?
I'll tell you why! NO RESPECT !! No respect for the things that are really important! For their elders, for their Flag, for their history, and for the men and women that made the ultimate sacrifices so that each and every day could be lived to the fullest, free from tyranny and oppression!
It seems to me that the very least all of these curb sitters could do...is Show some damn respect!
You want to know what the saddest part about this whole thing is? It's sad that anyone, ANYONE, should have to be reminded to do these things! Sad that the simple act of showing respect isn't taught by the schools, the parents, the elders...and if it is taught, it's even sadder that the idea doesn't come to mind automatically, without any prompting!
This Memorial Day, please remember to stand for the music, stand for the Honor Guard, stand for the Flag! In other words...do the right thing! Out of RESPECT...!
Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit outside for a bit!
21 comments:
HermitJim, when we were recently in California and at the airport changing planes for TN ... I hugged and kissed every single service man or woman that I saw in uniform. Thanking them for a job well done, and letting them know how much I appreciate them.
Here in Australia, I've attended each and every ANZAC day parade, because even though they may not be "my" countrymen and women, they've still put their lives on the line and made sacrifices for their country and loved ones. They're ALL someones son or daughter, father, aunt, uncle or grandpa, and they ALL deserve respect.
Sadly,I get laughed at here when I stand and put my hand over my heart when I hear "my" national anthem on TV, but that's just the way I was raised. It's called RESPECT...
We don't celebrate Memorial Day here, but I still take the day off work... to show respect for my father and uncles, cousins, and every other service man and woman who has done their level best for the United States of America!
God Bless them all!!
hey Tatersmama...
I think it's a wonderful thing that you show respect for the armed forces in the country that you live in!
I also think that the service men and women who's acquaintance you made by thanking them, will remember that for a long time! It's something we all should do a little more!
Don't worry, my friend! I'll never laugh at you for standing during the National Anthem is played...in fct, I'll be more than proud to stand with you!
When did showing respect go out of style? Did we miss something? I guess that some of us will always be out of step, because folks like you and i...and our friends, will always give respect where respect is due. I'm proud of you, my friend!
Thanks for coming by today! God Bless!
...great post to come back to Jim,seems Respect is a four letter word these days huh ?
...hats off and hand on heart...GodBlessOurRepublic...
I'm a Brit. My two grandfathers were veterans of the second world war: One was a military policeman. He found this the best personal balance between his personal pacifist conviction and his feelings of duty to his country. He never fired a shot in anger.
My other Grandfather worked on the railways. He sat in the guards van (caboose) on ammunition trains travelling through Birmingham and London while the cities were being carpet bombs with only a tin helmet to protect him.
Now I'm living in Germany and married to a Japanese. I'm grateful to those men for their decisions.
Recently an older German man cam to me as I was hugging my son. He said: 'Keep doing that to your son: my father was never there to do it for me'
I asked why.
'He dissapeared on the Russian front. I never knew him.'
Funny, I was just talking about veterans that I chat with at the motorcycle shop. My husband works on a lot of Patriot guard bikes.
Maybe because I live in a rural town in the midwest, but we all stand when the flag comes down the street. We place our hands over our hearts when we sing the National Anthem, and remove our hats. Our children still say the entire Pledge of Allegiance.
Awesome,Jim.Respect is a thing of the past in regards to most things in general.
China
III
Great post, Jim. Whenever I walk past a serviceman/woman I say "Thank you". Quite often they seem surprised but nod in acknowledgement. All the male members of my family have served and I have friends who have so I respect their sacrifice so that I may have what few freedoms are left to me.
Bubba -
You and I were just taught right, and remember what we were taught. I still proudly wear my flag lapel pin or DAR flag pin everyday, and thank MY vet for doing his part to keep us all protected. I plan to attend the Memorial Day service at the Veteran's Cemetary on Monday - wanna go with me? I'll cry some, and my heart will fill, and then I'll go home, have a hot dog and watch the flag in my front yard. God Bless America - and God help those who live in the White House! Lord knows they need it!
Wonderful post. Jim, no one could have said it any better.
I can't recall in what town this occurred but I'll never forget the story.
A school Principal (former Marine) having returned to work after some surgery over the summer, noticed in his absence that remodeling of the class rooms had remove the flags and in their place was now TVs and VCRs.
When he asked the school administrator how the students were to recite the pledge of allegiance without a flag he was told, "With the heavier class curriculum there will be no time for that"! He attempted to argue and was told, "Get over it"!
On the morning of the first day of school he got on the PA system and after welcoming everyone back to the new year of school requested all teachers assemble their classes at the flag pole in the front of the building. They then all as a group recited the pledge of allegiance.
The administrator called an emergency meeting of the board that evening and the Principal was fired the next day.
It is his type of Patriotism we need if we are to take or country back!
Hey Ken...
Good to see you, brother! It's been too long!
I guess that there will always be a few that show respect, and mny more that don't even understand the concept!
Thanks so much for coming by today...and GOD BLESS THE REPUBLIC!
Hey Workbike...
So glad you could come by today, my friend! It's always a pleasure to have a visitor from another country share the stories of the patriots and heroes in their own family!
It sounds to me as though your grand father found a very good way to balance his sense of duty with his dislike of violence, and the courage to ride the caboose of an ammunition train during a bombing...well, it takes a special kind of person!
I do appreciate you sharing this with us, and I appreciate you coming by today!
Hey Phelan...
I think it says a lot about the character and strength of small towns all across America, that folks still do these things without any prodding!
The example you're setting for the kids is one that many more families in this great country should follow!
Proud to have you and the family to call my friends! Thanks for coming by today!
hey China...
Good to see you, buddy! Right you are about respect being a thing of the past in many cases! Sad part is, earning respect is not common place anymore...especially in the political scene!
Thank God we still have enough Patriots around to keep these practices alive!
Thank you, my friend, for coming by today!
Hey Momlady...
I know that you and K are special people when it comes to thanking all the service men and women you see! That's part of what makes you such great folks to know!
The common man is the backbone of our great country, the keeper of our faith, and the Honor Guard to our colors!
I'm thankful that so many of them are my friends...!
Thanks for coming by today, Lady! It means a lot!
Hey Sis...
We were lucky indeed to have been brought up right by Mom and Dad!
Too bad that so many parents are not passing on the correct and proper respect to their children, and I'm so glad that I am associated in some small way with so many that are!
I do appreciate you taking the time to visit today, and I'm really glad that you and your DH are part of my family!
Hey Dizzy...
Always a pleasure, my friend, to have you come by!
I do thank you for the kind words...and for the visit today!
Hey Northwoods...
What a shameful way to treat someone that was trying to instill some time honored respect for the flag and the history of this country!
It just goes to show how respect for the important things is being completely left out of the school system!
Sounds to me like the administrator and the others that fired this principle should be asked to find another place to reside!
I sure don't want them watching by back, if you know what I mean?
Hey, thanks for sharing this story...and for coming by today!
Excellent post, Uncle Hermit.
Like Phelan's town, where we live now is rural. The Pledge of Allegiance is still said every morning, people still stand for the flag and hats are removed for the National Anthem.
Just this past Saturday, the 15th, American Flags lined Main Street and a breakfast was held in honor of Armed Forces Day.
My Daddy always taught my brother and I that you stand salute the flag and remain silent until it has passed. Heaven forbid you not remove your hat for the playing of the National Anthem.
B's, knows she is to respect the flag, our Anthem and our Veterans. Before we moved out of Morgan Hill, she used to be part of the Patriotic Sing every 4th of July. The music teacher for the elementary schools(there was only one teacher for all the schools) used to host/teach it. The kids would meet and learn patriotic songs then on the 4th they would ride on a huge flat bed, all decorated in Red, White and Blue and they would sing the songs throughout the parade route. :)
I've gone on long enough LOL! Have a great day, my friend.
Hugs~Felinae~
Hey Felinae...
I'm proud to know that you live in a place where these practices are commonplace! Gives a bit of comfort to know that such places still exists, ya know?
I'm sure that B's will always remember the lessons taught to her by Mom and Dad...! That's a good thing!
I really am glad you could come by today, my friend! Thank you!
Here at casa de Crazy, we stand when the anthem's on, and I sing along...because it's MY anthem, dangit, and I'll sing it if I wanna...and I won't tolerate blathering or noise until it's over. What, we can't spend a couple of minutes pondering our freedom and what it means?? I don't think so!!
Shade and Sweetwater,
K
Hey K...
I never doubted for a minute that this would be your reaction! In fact, I think we have discussed this before...!
I think it is a gtood thing, without a doubt!
Thanks for coming by today!
Hermit Jim, great post and unfortunately all too true, older folks are all Rodney Dangerfield these days, they get no respect.
By the way, I see I disappeared off yer Blogroll.
Busted.
Hey Busted...
Good to see you again! Always a pleasure, my friend!
I've added you back to the ol' blogroll, such as it is! About time we got a little touch of the colorful back in the ranks again!
Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!
Customs change. Society changes. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes not. Boys wear their hats inside, women ask men out for dates, people don't stand up for the passing flag. It doesn't necessarily mean any disrespect, it just means they didn't think about the old custom. The only men who tip their hats at ladies anymore are cowboys, and not many of them. Some customs are a real shame to loose. Others are best gone and not lamented.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS!!!
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com
Little late for this, but I love the post.
Respect. It's lost on most folks these days. Go to a ball game today and it's full of zeros with their baseball caps on during the national anthem, often not even taking the time to put down the beer. It's sad.
Thanks for a reminder.
Sadly, I see the same thing here at our local parades. I as a former Air Force member is often the only one standing and my kids feel embarrassed when I make them stand. I honestly think its a lack of education on the part of parents that have led to this. I think our children in the last couple or more decades have not been taught this tradition of respect.
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