06/14/2024
FLAG DAY 2024
JUNE 14
Good morning, Old Glory, Red, White, and Blue, you know how I feel about you. I wore your uniform, as did my brother, my grandpa, my uncles on both sides of my family as well as my niece, nephews, now great nephews and a host of cousins and extended family members, and friends.
Red, White, and Blue, while some talk about how much they love you, we have served in your Army, National Guard Army, Air Force, Navy, and in the Marines. In and out of season, we serve during peace time and war time. We are not unique, we are one of hundreds of thousands of American families who have served under the banner of the Red, White, and Blue, so you know how we feel about you.
Today as we celebrate Old Glory, remember that Old Glory is a symbol of who we can be as a Nation. Red, White, and Blue is about you, me, and our Nation offering to the world a form of governance that is “by the people and for the people.”
Red, White, and Blue, it is a sign of our democracy, it is the highest idea of people power not to be usurped by the few and the powerful, or the rich and famous; it is to be shared and protected by the people for the people.
Red, White, and Blue, it is for you that men and women, sometimes mere boys, and girls, have adorned your uniform to protect the freedoms that our constitution affords each and every American. It is for Old Glory, Red, White, and Blue that we pause and remember who we are because of you.
Old Glory, no political party or leader can own you, you can only be shared, cherished, protected, embraced, and served. We are who we are as a Nation, because of you, Red, White, and Blue.
Rev. Dr. Beverly L. Wilkes-Null, Chaplain
McKendree University
