The Pledge of Allegiance.

[Tink]

Thanks Kat.
I really enjoyed that.
My dad was in the army and had not been out of the state before enlisting. He ended up in Japan helping to do support services for the men cleaning up after the big bomb was dropped. He was only in for 2 yrs, but that was one of his proudest accomplishments. He taught us from birth to appreciate and be proud of our country, to salute the flag, and always treat anyone in a military uniform with the utmost respect.

He would have loved that story. When he was buried, it was as a veteran with a 21 gun salute and taps played at his grave. His coffin was draped in a flag which was neatly folded and handed to my mother. He would have been so proud.

For those who have served there is that well earned sense of pride that I think the rest of us all too often miss out on. It's too easy to take it all for granted until something like this post reminds us.
So thanks... it's a good reminder for us all.

[katcarasella]

Pete was buried with Military Honors also, seeing those soldiers standing at attention when the hearse pulled up to his gravesite is something our family will never forget. When they handed me the flag I was proud to accept it and I told the young soldier that it was an honor. All Pete's old Vietnam friends were his pallbearers, and they saluted him as he was lowered in the ground.
It will always be a bittersweet memory. I was fine until they played Taps, then I couldn't help but cry but I held myself together.

Thanks for letting me go on and on, it's gonna be a bad week for me, but I know I can come here for support if I need it.

[Janet]

Kat, I wish I could do something so it wouldn't be a bad week for you.

My father was in Japan too for two years, but he wasn't buried with anything military. Not sure why, maybe we were just all to grief stricken to think about that part of it.

[Marilyn]

Kat, thank you and everyone else for sharing. Our country has lost a lot of good men and a lot of good men & women have suffered to perserve our country.

[katcarasella]

Just to clarify:
Section 4 of the Flag Code states:

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."

[Janet]

I think I read that somewhere before, but can't remember where. I don't know what it is, but whenever I hear the pledge or here patriotic songs, I get all teary eyed. It's not because I'm sad, but it feels like my heart is filling up. I do the same thing singing hymms at church.

[Gina]

Ladies, I got the goosebumps sitting here reading all your threads... Makes me proud to be an AMERICAN and to live in this country.. GOD BLESS AMERICA! GOD BLESS All whom fought for our country...