The Not So Ugly American
Posted: Friday, September 03, 2010
by Grace O'Malley
And so it begins.
"O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming."
Almost 200 years ago that poem was written at another time when our country was at war. Not long before we had fought for Independence from those we felt were oppressing us and our freedoms. We rose up, those farmers, teachers and preachers and joined their voices together. They would not be brushed aside and unheard any longer. It was time to take a stand.
This country was formed to give solace and shelter to those who needed it. It mattered not where you came from or how you got here. Everyone had the chance to be free. Free to speak, free to worship, free to assemble without fear of retribution. We are free to write, free to sing, free to govern ourselves as we see fit.
Along the way as this country grew, we made allies of other nations. We promised them we would stand by and help should they ever be downtrodden. We have kept our promise time and time again: with our money, with our time and even with our very lives.
We make mistakes along the way. We do not always think before we act. We barge in where others fear to tread. We became leaders instead of followers and at times we lost sight of our humbleness.
Today we forget what our forefathers had done for us, the pain and suffering they endured so that we, their children's children can have a place to call home. America is a place where we can live without fear of oppression. America is a place where we can worship our deities openly and devotedly. America is a place where we can assemble in groups to protest our unhappiness with our government. America is a place where education is encouraged and given to all. America is a place where equality is ever strived for instead of pummeled to the ground.
Today I honor those individuals who unselfishly give of themselves so that others may continue to have those freedoms: those husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who are members of our military. Too many times these brave men and women are looked upon with derision and scorn. Yet too many times they are seen as the ugly part of keeping protected what we hold dear. Without people like them today, yesterday and tomorrow, we could not BE this America.
The next time you see someone in uniform, thank them. Let us not wait until we have another catastrophe in this country to remind ourselves that we are one nation and that because of them, we can remain that way. They give, so that we may live: free and safe.
I leave you with this anonymous poem:
"O! say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming."
Almost 200 years ago that poem was written at another time when our country was at war. Not long before we had fought for Independence from those we felt were oppressing us and our freedoms. We rose up, those farmers, teachers and preachers and joined their voices together. They would not be brushed aside and unheard any longer. It was time to take a stand.
Along the way as this country grew, we made allies of other nations. We promised them we would stand by and help should they ever be downtrodden. We have kept our promise time and time again: with our money, with our time and even with our very lives.
We make mistakes along the way. We do not always think before we act. We barge in where others fear to tread. We became leaders instead of followers and at times we lost sight of our humbleness.
Today we forget what our forefathers had done for us, the pain and suffering they endured so that we, their children's children can have a place to call home. America is a place where we can live without fear of oppression. America is a place where we can worship our deities openly and devotedly. America is a place where we can assemble in groups to protest our unhappiness with our government. America is a place where education is encouraged and given to all. America is a place where equality is ever strived for instead of pummeled to the ground.
Today I honor those individuals who unselfishly give of themselves so that others may continue to have those freedoms: those husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who are members of our military. Too many times these brave men and women are looked upon with derision and scorn. Yet too many times they are seen as the ugly part of keeping protected what we hold dear. Without people like them today, yesterday and tomorrow, we could not BE this America.
The next time you see someone in uniform, thank them. Let us not wait until we have another catastrophe in this country to remind ourselves that we are one nation and that because of them, we can remain that way. They give, so that we may live: free and safe.
I leave you with this anonymous poem:
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young airman saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform,
So young, so tall, so proud.
With hair cut square and yes alert,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him,
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes, soldiers' graves?
No! Freedom is not free.
I heard the sound of taps one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play,
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That taps had meant "Amen,"
Times a flag covered a coffin
Of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons, and husbands,
With interrupted lives.
I thought about the graveyard
At the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No! Freedom is not free.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)You don't often see women who write about our military like this. As a vet myself I say thank YOU for appreciating what they do.Thank you for serving Abe. Being from a military family seeing first hand what all go through, how could I not appreciate those who serve?Grace
This is such a moving piece and something I have to admit I have not thought much about before. I hate the concept of war and really hope and wish that it would all just stop - but I agree freedom is not free. Thank you.Thanks for the comment Lisa. Like you I hate war too. It breaks my heart when things break down and it happens.Grace
Thank you for saying what a lot of people are afraid to say.
great poem I loved itThank you for stopping by and commenting Adrian.Grace
Thank you for sharing this article and poem Grace. They both deliver a good message.Thanks David! Always nice to hear from you.Grace
GraceAs you know my eldest daughter is currently over seas serving in the US Army. My brother, my father, my grandfather, 6 aunts and uncles, and (at last count) 36 cousins/neices/nephews either have served or are currently serving.Your piece made tears well up in my eyes. I have an uncles purple heart that was gifted to me when we lost him. My mom has the flag that covered my fathers casket hanging in her living room encased in a special frame. The only bumper sticker on my car say "proud parent of a US Soldier".It has nothing to do with a political statement about war or decisions made in our government. It has everything to do with supporting those who are doing a job. A job that allows me to live the life I live and have a voice in my spiritual journey.I recently had to take trip (on a plane and you know my feelings on flying). It is my practice to stop what I am doing and thank every soldier that I see in uniform for doing what they do. I was in D.C. and as usually happens I saw a young man in uniform. I went up to him and said thank you and gave him a hug. I leaned down to grab my brief case and when I stood up there was a platoon standing in front of me. I do not believe that any of them were over twenty five. By the time I was done there were tears in my eyes and theirs.Will be sharing your article.mwahYour family is amazing Carla! I don't know any who have been as devoted to serving as yours. It must be hard to be a mom of a daughter in service. It's nice to know that you see the difference between supporting a government's decision to war and supporting those that take their job of protecting seriously. Thank you for that.What an amazing encounter you had. I have tears simply reading about it. Thank you for sharing it with me.Grace
Beautiful piece - one that gives us much to think about.Thank you for saying so Marijo. Always nice to see you.Grace
Wonderful tribute to our military Grace. It is nice to be reminded once in a while because we are free we get lost in our own stuff and forget that it is God and the military who gave us this freedom. Thanks, Grace.Thank you for coming by and reading Linda. It is appreciated.Grace
its amazing for how much the world seems not to like the ugly Americanyet who else does the rest of the world emulate and want to be like - not the french , not Germany , not England not the RussiansI have wondered the same thing myself a number of times Terry.Grace
Grace! Nice...nice...once again... Keep it up...RegardsCPAwww thank you Chiradeep!Grace
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