Looking at all the flying flags over the weekend got me to thinking about our country’s glorious banner. It’s been called a lot of things over the years, names like, the life and blood of our nation, The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and The Red, White and Blue just to name a few. It appears to be just a piece of cloth, but oh, it’s so much more than just cloth.

It’s a piece of our history, it carries with it as it flies ever so proudly, our past and our present. The flag leads every parade, flies above our government offices, and in front of our national monuments. It covers the caskets of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and price for freedom and is flown at half-mast to honor those who have served their nation in government service. It’s presented to families as a token of gratitude from the President, U.S. Congress and a grateful nation at the death of a veteran.

It’s 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies, and the fifty stars represent each of our fifty states. Personally, I’ve waved it, worn it proudly, saluted it, pledged allegiance to it, served it, defended it, presented it, and hopefully, when I die, my family will receive it on my behalf. To see it flying proudly over the 4th of July and other holidays, al- ways makes me proud to be an American. The fireworks, military bands playing each branch of service’s theme, listening to the Stars and Stripes Forever, and other patriotic songs always fills my heart with pride.

However, this time as our National Anthem was being played and sung, we came to the end of the first verse and a question is put forth that only we can answer. “Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, over the land of the free, and the home of the brave?” It left me wondering about the times we are in, when other countries are buying up all our land. It doesn’t seem so good when all our clothes say they are made in some other country, and not made in America. When our vehicles, our electronics, and so much more are made somewhere other than the U.S.A. It doesn’t seem so when people we elect to represent us locally and nationally have their own agendas, and represent big business instead the common man, and live immoral lifestyles. I could go on and on, but think you get the idea. Yes, our flag still waves as the song asks, but for how long? Lately it seems to be waving good-bye, and if so, whose flag will be flying next? It’s time to wake up America, before it’s too late.