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Blogs by Linda Merlino
Blog a Flag 6/22/2008 4:45:07 PM
The Fourth of July is coming up, the first official summer holiday. Memorial Day kicks off the spirit of summer but the Fourth is the main event. Both holidays mark our country’s heroes; one honors those who fought to keep us free and the other honors independence.
The American Flag is the symbol of our great country, we unfurl it proudly most often during the summer months. Streets and town halls are decorated with the Stars and Stripes along with flag poles and schools. Many folk here in New England hang the flag outside their homes as way to show pride for the United States.
Up the street from my home is a small church, it sits on the intersection of two routes, one to New York the other to the Connecticut coast. The main street of my town is quite picturesque, a perfect Main Street that invites people of all ages to stroll, jog or power walk its sidewalk. Up and back it is a generous two miles, first one side and then the other taking in stately old homes, community center, storefronts, and the town’s favorite fountain.
For the past several weeks, walkers, joggers and the like slow to a stop in front of the small church on the corner. Planted across the expanse of the church’s lawn are close to 5000 American Flags, a field of flags. This small church appears to be one of several that have erected the flags. The image is startling and powerful.
Each time I pass the display of flags I offer a prayer to all the fallen soldiers that each flag represents. I am proud to be an American and I am most grateful to all the men and women that serve in our armed forces and with each prayer said, I wish God’s speed home to those still serving and a heroes welcome in heaven for those who gave their lives so that I can walk Main Street on a beautiful summer day.
Blog what you see, hear and feel…
Linda Merlino, author, Belly of the Whale
Go to Linda’s Virtual Book Tour on Author Day Wednesday July 25th for a chance to win a free book.
