The gale force winds were unexpected.

Memorial Day weekend 2023 found my family and I vacationing off the Carolina coast.  The beachfront home we rented was perfect, and we looked forward to several days of fun in the sun.  But, on the day we arrived, the ocean winds were 25 mph with gusts up to 45.  It was a “hold-on-to-your-hat” kind of day.  

A tropical depression slowly  progressed up the coastline bringing rain, wind, and a momentary pause to any thoughts of sunbathing.  Next door, a flapping sound caught our ears, and a flag pole captured our eyes.  A U.S. flag flew from the apex of our neighbor’s pole.  Stiff in the gale-force winds, it was hard to ignore.  It was Memorial Day after all, and the sight of the Stars and Stripes billowing in the blustery winds seemed so apropos.

So captivating was the sight I found myself staring at Old Glory. A close inspection of the flag revealed the edges unraveling. (See the picture) But still, it flew.  The winds whipped it back and forth, and for most of the day, the unfurled flag flapping in the stormy breezes seemed to be a red, white, and blue metaphor on full display.  Our national banner was sending a message: The winds may be strong, and my fabric may be tattered, but I am still flying and waving, still “gallantly streaming.”  I proudly fly my “broad stripes and brights stars,” waving “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

Today is June 14th, 2023, and the memories of that battered and tattered old flag came quickly to mind.  Because in the USA, June 14th is designated as Flag Day.  Technically, it’s not a federal or state holiday unless you live in Pennsylvania, where it is a state holiday.  Apparently, Pennsylvanians have a greater respect for the Stars and Stripes than the rest of us.  After all, it was in her Philadelphia home that Betsy Ross purportedly designed and sewed our nation’s first flag.

Let’s be honest, most Flag Days come and go with little mention or celebration. Oh, a few patriots remember to fly our national flag to commemorate the date in 1777 when the United States approved the design for its first national flag. But…

Now in the 21st century, the flag and all it represents is under attack.

Our nation has never been more split on what it means to be an American.  Serious efforts are underway to defund the police and weaken the military. Free speech is only free if it agrees with the progressive left; otherwise, it’s called hate speech. The rule of law is increasingly being ignored. Our morally indifferent culture is destroying civility and tolerance. The IRS and FBI have become political weapons. And no one trusts the media. Unbiased journalism is rarely seen on the Left or the Right. Let’s just say if the world sees America as a beacon on the hill, the light is blinking. The American Experiment has seen better days.

Yet, our Memorial Day neighbor’s flag seemed to be shouting a response.  “I’m still flying!”

No one thinks our country is perfect.  We have a list of national sins and a heritage mixed with pride and shame.  There are those who wish to tear down our system and build something new and different, though no one has declared what new and different actually looks like.  

No system is perfect, but I challenge anyone to show me a better working system than a constitutional republic.  Capitalism isn’t perfect either, but show me something better than a free-market system.  Conservatives hasten to shout about traditional values like individual freedom and personal liberty, but even those philosophies without personal responsibility can lead down a dangerous road of anarchy and licentiousness. Divorce personal choice from morality and chaos is the inevitable result.

It has been the Judeo-Christian values, reflected in our governmental structure and rule of law that grounds the dignity of every human life.  Throw away those values, and we are left with only two options — totalitarianism or anarchy.  And anarchy always leads to totalitarianism. 

The American system isn’t perfect, but history has proven it to be the best governing system to date.  Address the flaws, protect the weak, embrace the rule of law, seek justice for all, protect freedom of speech and religion, and true freedom and justice can be ours.

Two weeks ago, the gale force winds only lasted 48 hours before sunny days returned. Yet, my thoughts lingered as I often glanced at our neighbor’s flag.  The Star-Spangled Banner may be worn and tattered, but — long may it wave — “o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”