The Folded Flag

Welda McKinley Grider

In this patriotic time of year, between Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July, do we give much notice to the symbol of freedom?

Sadly, I ask this. We give little thought to those who came to this country for that freedom and those who paid the ultimate price.

Those of us who were born into this country and those of us who have not been handed a perfectly folded flag, know little of who we are as a nation or why we are a nation.

Two hundred and forty years ago the rebels who lived on American soil took up arms, did not do so to fight for freedom, they took up arms for the idea of freedom.

A free country at that time was only a concept - not a right and certainly not a reality. But for this idea they pledged their lives and all they had in property, knowing they could be killed as a traitor because they were indeed traitors. Some were killed and some died as paupers.

We are guaranteed to be created equal and be born free. After that, it is up to our wits, our mind and our strong back to create life we either strive for or settle for.

Sadly, if we do not grasp the full meaning of freedom, we will not die free.

"Leveling the playing field" means you have equal opportunity to succeed; it does not mean everyone else should fail at the same level.

I've learned a lot from the legal immigrants I've been fortunate enough to know.

One fellow named Peter came out of the Czech Republic in the luggage department of a bus. If he got caught, he would die.

He is very concerned about the direction of our nation. He lived through socialism and communism and he doesn't want his new country, the United States, to take the same road.

Another fellow came out of Russia and no matter how hard I tried, he wouldn't tell me how he got here.

I have a friend who cleans houses so her boys can have good clothes, iPods and a good education.

Fernando, 17, recently was selected for a trip to Washington, D.C. He saw first- hand the monuments of the country his parents sacrificed so much to come to.

He is the son of immigrants who did not come to this country to take advantage of it but to add to it.

It is immigrants like that that make us proud to be a nation of immigrants. However, that is being lost in the debate of how much we should give to illegal immigrants who have no desire to be part of this country or give anything back.

These new Americans had to take lessons in our history and they were made to swear to uphold the American Constitution. I wonder how changed we would be if we really understood our history and had to swear to uphold our Constitution?

Think about this: Men before 1776 had such a strong belief in freedom they were not only willing to fight and die for that generation, but for all the generations that followed.

The men who fought in the World Wars and the women who took up the nations labor force, not only fought for that generation but to end all wars for future generations.

All the other wars fought since then have not been for American freedom alone, but for the unwavering belief that all men should have the chance at freedom.

America has been accused of "interfering" in other nations. Does giving someone the opportunity to be free sound like interfering to you?

Would your life be different if the only desire you had for your kids was for them to be free?

There are only two reasons that there are wars: To cause oppression or to buy freedom. The rest is secondary.

How much would you sacrifice for freedom?

On the other hand, how much are you willing to throw out to oppress? Because every law that we allow passed that takes away God given rights is an act of oppression.

As you fly Old Glory this month - think about the fact you are flying the Flag and not being handed the Folded Flag.

To those who have been handed the Folded Flag - because I have not paid the ultimate price, nor has my immediate family, my heart goes out to you. I will pray for you and yours.

I will do anything in my power to not let your sacrifice go unnoticed. I am fully aware that the red strips in our American Flag signifies the color of Blood - those who went before and those who follow.

There are only two people who offered to die for you - Jesus Christ and the American soldier.

One died for your soul and one died for your freedom. Never take either one of those for granted.