I saw last night that one of the precious Navy Seals killed in Afghanistan Friday night had the habit of keeping a big American flag, folded and next to his heart, under his armor. It just so happened he didn't have it on him when he was killed the other night because he had sent it to his mentor stateside, who happens to be a Vietnam vet. I know I'm not alone when I say it is impossible to put my reaction to that habit of his into words. It brings to mind so many images and lessons learned and brings to heart so many emotions. It caused me to reflect on the fact I have felt so overwhelmed and discouraged the last couple days since the downgrade in America's credit rating. We were screaming about how this "deal" would not help and congress refused to listen--again. All I could think was, based on what our soldiers do every single day on the field, I am absolutely prohibited from even entertaining the thought of giving in to despair. I dare not. It would feel like nothing less than betrayal, not only of our current soldiers, but all those who died hundreds of years ago and decades ago. It would be an act of betrayal against my Great Grandma Anne, who, at age 17, took the huge risk of coming across the ocean by herself to start a new life here. Even though the fight overwhelms at times, there is nothing else to do but keep going. That's it. Keep going.
While driving today, I started thinking about just how much I love the land of my birth.
I love our military.
I love our flag.
I love American entrepreneurship.
I love American inventiveness.
I love the American spirit.
I love American landscape.
I love American business.
I love American culture.
I love American tradition.
I love America's Founders.
I love American elections.
I love American history.
I love America's founding documents.
I love American free speech.
I love America's small towns.
I love America's cities.
I love Fourth of July fireworks.
I love American pride.
I love being an American citizen.
"Love never fails."
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