Flag Burning and Patriotic Service to the American Flag

On this day of Saturday, March 10, 2012, Post 88 Auxiliary retired a sizable number of American Flags from service in a flag burning ceremony in Shenandoah, Iowa.  Preceded first by a ceremony of the District 7 Junior Auxiliary, Post 88 then commenced their official ceremony at the Bricker room before heading outside for the burning.  The Junior Auxiliary presented worn and faded flags to Post 88 for retirement as seen in the picture below.  It was a good experience for these young auxiliary leaders.

In a dignified and solemn manner these member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) acted in accordance with honor and respect in laying to rest the symbol of American freedom and liberties purchased and protected by the blood of millions of servicemen both past and present.  Standing with the guard I'm sure were our Founding Fathers who look on at a troubled nation.

It's an ideal time for all of us to reflect on what the United States flag means to us.  Aside from the media rhetoric dig deeper into your own hearts and assess your own loyalty.  As you go about your day choosing what grocery store to attend and what groceries to get consider the human cost of that liberty.  As you visit a family member's home across the river in the next state consider the freedom to do so without the need of special papers or border patrols.  When you attend a local City Council meeting be mindful of the immense power you are given to voice your own thoughts and the blood expense afforded you by the vast numbers to protect that right.  It's the integrity of the flag that's eternally bonded with the integrity of each individual United States citizen.

I would encourage the citizens of Shenandoah, Iowa, as well as all citizens to become more involved with your local government.  Even more so sanctify your own homes with dignity fitting of a United States member.  Foster loyalty and integrity for the flag and your fellow man.  Only by perfecting the basic unit of society, that being the family, can we have a hope to sanctify levels of government and classes of people on up the ladder.

As your City Councilman it is my sworn duty to uphold the virtue of the United States and to be your voice. The Constitution of the United States is my freely accepted backbone and my measure of how I execute decisions effecting Shenandoah.  Take the challenge to ponder the US flag and take steps to protect it in your home, city and nation.  Cherish it and guard it with a moral code that is unwavering and immovable.  Don't let media or outside influences diminish your loyalty.

Let us not forget or shame the Pledge of Allegiance that used to be commonplace to start the school day.  It is the basic start of daily citizenship.  Please reinstate the Pledge of Allegiance into your schools across the nation.  A nation that forgets its purpose and under whom it flourishes is a nation that dwindles in unbelief of hope and prosperity.

This I offer in the wake of the memorable flag burning and retirement ceremony on this day.

Military Service of Aaron Green

Veterans Day is a very special day of the year. It is has a grounded place in my heart as well. My military service is vague to most people who know me. This article will serve as a clarification or history of my own brief military service.

My friend, Chris, and I left our homes when we were seventeen. Both disturbed by the pressures of the world and youth in general. We got ourselves an apartment and barely survived our Senior year of High School there. I admired Chris because he was more grounded and much more sure of his future. He wanted to be a doctor and I all but gave up on any kind of a future for myself.

I remember approaching Sergeant Trumble in our High School commons area. She was a recruiter representing the United States Army. Knowing my own personal plight it didn't take me long to put the pen to the paper. “Officially” the buddy program no longer existed but the option was there to get an automatic promotion to E2 status if we get another signed up. Chris wanted to be a doctor yet neither one of us had any money. Allured by the prospect of having paid education through military service Chris saw the wisdom in the decision and signed up as well.

Both of us officially entered the military under DEP on October 25, 1990. DEP stands for Delayed Enlistment Program. Both of us mid-termed our Senior year and shipped off to Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia on January 18, 1991.

At this time Iraq had already invaded Kuwait and tensions were high. While at boot camp we met occasion when our platoon was brought together. It was announced to us that we were now at war with Iraq. I remember watching the missiles light up the skies over Baghdad on CNN. I remember Drill Sergeant Davies telling us that we will be going over there. I was actually grateful for that news.

Anyhow, I never made it there. Not only did Desert Storm offer brief headlines but I also suffered a medical problem during training. Outside of what's commonly known as the “gas chamber” I fell down into an epileptic seizure. A condition unbeknownst to me I was completely bewildered when I briefly became conscious on the medivac helicopter. Drill Sergeant Raleigh said the epic words that would help define my future. “Son, you had a seizure.” All went fade to black after that until I awoke in the base hospital.

I was medically discharged March 5, 1991 from the United States Army. The entire incident left a big hole in my life and soul for many years. It took quite some time to realize the direction what Higher Power had in store for me. I left the base with $900 in my pocket and no firm direction. I could've gone anywhere and just disappeared. I'm grateful that the stronger power brought me back to the Midwest.

There are those who consider me a part of the brotherhood of military who have served. I do not and cannot since I didn't serve in the capacity I intended to serve originally. Back in 2007 or so I did inquire at the Shenandoah National Guard Armory about reenlisting. However, knowing what my discharge status was from 1991 I knew that I was ineligible for such an honor. Even today just as in Desert Storm I watch servicemen come and go to active tour and a part of my heart goes with them. Though not enough I hope it will serve as much for the time being.

To this day I remain a patriot loyal and true. Though unable to serve militarily I have helped in other capacities. In the past I have helped organize efforts to assemble and ship school kits for Iraqi children. Perhaps to serve here at home and abroad in other capacities is the direction I was intended to take. I believe that America and those who defend it have a divine protection and foundation that qualifies them for greatness if worthy. I believe this country and it's military have a high standard to uphold. To be an example of liberty and personal conviction is an inherent duty and responsibility of a service member. The fruits of freedom in the eyes of those who don't have it demonstrate the potential of man. This is the example that propels them to greatness. It's the heart of a volunteer! It's that same heart that triumphed the first responders at 9/11 and it's the same heart that sets men free of tyrant leaders around the globe.

We are America!

9/11 Terrorist Attacks Felt in the Midwest Heartland of Iowa

September 11, 2001 – 9/11 – 911, or whatever else it may be called. Few epic moments define our modern world and the United States of America. Arbitrarily, the Republic was shaken to the core in downtown New York City. I remember that day though it was a couple thousand miles away in the Midwest. As I reflect may I offer a few observations for the future.

I was working in a warehouse in the small community of Riverton, Iowa. Riverton has always jokingly and seriously been known as the town that floods when it sprinkles. Situated squarely between Shenandoah and Hamburg, Riverton resides right on the Nishnabotna River. The setting is given when we heard that the north tower had been struck. That was a pivotal moment in the American psyche, that was to define the following course of this country. During those moments we didn't know if it was an accident or an act of terrorism. We wanted to believe in an accident. Why? Because the thought of terrorism was too large, too coordinated and quite frankly too Hollywood to be real. We've lived so long in a “comfort zone” and just survived the bloated “dot com” boom that our own pride prevented the consideration of the worst.

There was no television in the warehouse so we intently and quietly listened to the radio for developments. Constantly the media projected numbers. Numbers, numbers, a ceaseless string of numbers! “Up to 60,000 may be dead!” Though physically we were not in the center of the circus of vertigo in New York City, emotionally we were connected as one nation in peril. THAT - was the bonding glue that will survive the United States of America now and in the future as it did at that moment.

I remember my supervisor coming in a while later and with a degree of fear and anger.  She said that another plane struck the tower. She, herself, a long time military patriot hearkened the innate call of danger. At that moment we didn't know that it was the other tower that had been struck. We continued to listen intently for confirmation of the second plane. The resolve was all but complete – the United States of America had been attacked. Whether we liked it or not we were now at war with an army most vague to identify.

Andrew Card informs President Bush the U.S. is under attack.

The confident heart fell as if in a refiner's fire when the news came that the towers crumbled to the ground. The towers came down but the curtains opened up to a future unknown. So vulnerable we felt. So open and helpless became the individual American. So unprepared was this people as we lingered in disbelief.

After work I hurried home to view the constant updates and rehash on the news channel. Time and time again like so many I watched the reruns of the falling towers. For days the numbers varied and finally settled to a number.

Not long after the symbol of the world financial institution fell I strongly noticed how still the sky was. Following protocol the President of the United States was taken to a safe military bunker. Yet, soon thereafter orders manifest that all aircraft were to be grounded.

Those white streams in the sky from the wake of a plane's exhaust disappeared altogether. Especially for a person out in the rural country those planes represent civilization and the surety that America is vibrant and moving. In other words “business as usual.” Suddenly in just a few minutes of epic event, American skies were just thrown back to the 18^th century when all that occupied therein were the birds. Yet, even the birds seemed more somber and reserved. It was as if a divine power which blanket this great nation called upon all life to mourn.

The rest is history but that is where I was. No wonderful activity or spectacular place that I was. Yet, equally important as all other American stories mine will live in infamy as a chapter in my life to be shared with my own children and grandchildren.

I will not discuss religious doctrines or political thoughts. I will share, however, what my life has taught me of this great nation. For current society and posterity sake may it serve to expand wider fields to view.

We are a wealthy nation. Yes, we do have pride here as well perhaps even to a dangerous level. We are also the most charitable and helpful nation on earth. Whether we are liked as a nation or not, we are still indisputably sought out and looked toward for leadership and example. We have a mighty military commissioned to protect our own as well as allied nations. We have massive social deficiencies but the foundation, though weakening, principles of this nation remain in the hearts of so many.

Should this not be so? In such a whirlwind world should we not count it as an inspired gift that we have a country constructed in such a way as to encourage and foster leadership and worthy attributes? The basic heart of man is good and true. If that heart is given the opportunity to thrive it will change it's world. This is what liberty has profited us. Our country has been outlined to provide man liberty and freedom. That liberty and freedom enables happiness. Happiness derives from personal initiative in the progress of work and family. Liberty naturally wants to expand because that happiness in the heart compels the host to share it and testify of it.

We as Americans wear the robes of liberty. How we exercise it determines their colors. Liberty thrives only when connected from one heart to the next – and the next. When we as a nation are bonded as one - liberty cannot be conquered. After the attack a decade ago we were “one” for a time. That oneness is what gave us resolution of heart. It's what gave us the will to stand on our borders, arms locked, till death if the need were to arise for the preservation of our country and spirit of liberty.

We have a duty attached to the expensive liberty which we are to cherish. We have the duty to preserve order by participating in local, state and even federal government and policy making. We have a duty to be willing to protect and preserve this nation and it's tenets. We have a duty to raise our families to the best of our abilities with our posterity's interest at heart. It is the rising generation that will carry the banners of family and liberty forth into the future.

I love this country! I love what it has provided me and my family. I love the responsibility placed upon me even by the cries of our Founding Fathers from the grave. I love that we are able to clasp hands in fellowship even though we may have differing faiths. I love the liberty-inspired free enterprise and free market degree that we have. It's what helps to foster personal growth, expansion and happiness.

I hereby testify that we are a truly inspired nation. That inspiration put to pen so many years ago is born into the hearts of every true American whether domestic born or immigrant. With this liberty we can rise above the political turmoil which we now suffer. Life doesn't have to be complicated. The principles of liberty and freedom are not difficult to understand. Any institution, organization or branch of society that pins it's will against it's own people in a direction of misdirection and confusion is not born of liberty.

We of strong hearts and compassionate minds have the commission, ourselves, to make the difference in this world. Let us all get out there and serve our fellow citizens with love and concern. As our conviction toward our neighbor strengthens our flag will indeed blind all those powers who wish to bring our banner to it's knees. Long may the flag wave pure and happy!