This symbol of the United States of America represents unity, and is instantly recognized around the world. Although it is not always welcomed in some parts of the world, to true Americans, it stirs up great passion. It reminds us all of the great sacrifice of human life that has been made for the personal freedoms that we enjoy and the opportunity to live in liberty.

The snowy setting reminds me of some of the great winter battles that have been fought, in the cause of freedom, over the past two centuries. Although the stars and stripes had not been conceived and did not fly at Valley Forge in 1776, the spirit of '76 has been in the hearts of all brave men and women who have rallied around it in battles for freedom throughout the ensuing years.

I am reminded of the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the American civil war, in December of 1862 in which 18,000 casualties occurred between both the Confederate and Union armies as they fought both the elements and their enemies in the great struggle to preserve the union of the states.

World Wars I and II had many great winter battles that were fought for justice and freedom such as the Battle of the Bulge which took place during the coldest, snowiest weather “in memory” in the Ardennes Forest on the German/Belgium border, starting December 16, 1944 and resulting in 19,000 American dead.

The brutal winter of 1950/51 found brave American men and women on the Korean peninsula, fighting and dying in the cause of freedom. The war is sometimes called "the forgotten war" but it has not been forgotten by the loved ones of the more than 50,000 brave men and women who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, and those who fought there and survived. Nor has it been forgotten by true American patriots who understand that freedom is not free.

The battle for freedom continues in Iraq and Afghanistan as brave men and women rally around the flag and continue to sacrifice their lives so that the rest of us can remain free. God bless and protect our brave service men and women and long may the stars and stripes wave over the land of the free and home of the brave.

CONCORD HYMN
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Copyright 2007 John Swift