June 11, 2008 + One nation under God, indivisible + Hayward Fong

Psalm 133

The month of June holds many important dates in my life as an American citizen. June 14, 1775 is the birthday of the United States Army. On the same date two years later was our first Flag Day. On June 12, 1898, (Pista Sai Nayon) the Philippines were freed from the Spanish rule only to endure many more years of foreign rule until she received her independence from the United States. On June 6, 1944, the Allied Forces stormed onto the Normandy beaches to free Europe from the Axis powers. Having served my country for 36 years in the United States Army, you can understand why these dates are so meaningful to me.

This coming Saturday is Flag Day. You have heard me lament the fact that I don’t see our nation’s colors displayed prominently in my community even on national holidays. As a matter of fact, I have voiced my concerns over the fact that we overlook flying the United States flag even on holidays here at Immanuel. When I was a student at Polytechnic High School here in Los Angeles, raising and lowering the flag was a daily activity, reserved for the boys in the Knights, an honors service organization. Even when I became a Knight, seniority prevailed.

I have always looked forward to Flag Day so I can experience a special flag raising ceremony in a school yard. But I have not seen this event being observed at my neighborhood schools in recent years. However, I can still relive the experience of bygone years…seeing in my minds eye the little ones standing straight and proud under the flag with their hands over their hearts as they recite the pledge that many of them barely understand.

These recollections have caused me to wonder, for over 50% of these children in my neighborhood aren’t Americans, at least not yet. However, they represent the next generation that will make their mark on the world, either here in the United States or elsewhere.

There was an article in the Los Angeles Times about ten years ago which told of a visit by fifth grade students from the Ivanhoe Street Elementary School to our nation’s capital. This school is a few miles from us here at Immanuel. Each child was required to keep a diary of the day’s events and record his or her reflections of the activities. It was very interesting to read what the various sites, such as the White House, and the several Memorials meant to them. As I was preparing this message, I was wondering what their reflections would be today in light of the events that have taken place in world… 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq.

What a wonderful opportunity it was for these children to be included in that historical learning process. I hope that their experience will help them to live as good citizens in the coming years.

Have you ever thought of what you might say if asked by these children about our nation’s flag?

I think I would like to tell them that on the first Flag Day, George Washington said, “We take the stars from the heaven, and the red from the Mother Country, separating it by the white stripes, thus showing we are separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing liberty.

I imagine I would tell them about the homemade flag that flew over Fort McHenry on that September 14th in 1814, outlined against the rocket’s red glare; and pointing out that the flag consisted of 15 stars and 15 stripes (2 more than needed).

Would these children be thrilled to hear of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders storming San Juan Hill and planting our flag over a century ago? Would these youngsters be proud of the six U.S. Marines raising our flag on Iwo-Jima, during World War II? And what about Sunday, July 20, 1969, at 11:45 p.m., Eastern Time when Colonel Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, Jr. and civilian Neil A. Armstrong touched down on the moon and subsequently planted our flag there, 240,000 miles from earth?

Our flag has been planted in many places, but perhaps no better place than in our schools, for children to learn their first stumbling lessons in what it means to be an American. With its red for courage, white for liberty, and blue for loyalty, the flag stands for a heritage we’ve been given, and a future we’re making.

The flag is but one symbol of our nation.

For thousands of years, the eagle has been admired for its grandeur, its grace in flight, and its great size and awesome power. The soaring eagle is also a stirring picture of the true meaning of liberty. Assisted by his powerful wings, the eagle glides effortlessly to an altitude of over 2,400 feet and is capable of using his wings to carry other eagles to safety. Turbulent winds only cause him to fly higher and faster.

The eagle’s keen eyesight enables him to be sensitive to approaching danger and to protect himself and family. The eagle displays the sense of responsibility that is a genuine companion of true liberty. He mates for life and returns to the same nest each year, making necessary repairs and additions. He takes an active role in providing for his family and in teaching the young to fly.

In so many ways, the eagle illustrates the life, victory, power and freedom that Jesus Christ came to give those of us who place our faith in Him.

The eagle also pictures many of those character qualities that made America great and that must be reinforced in our generation if we are to preserve for our children and grandchildren the freedom which God has so graciously entrusted to us.

PRAYER: Father, a new generation looks to us to see what it means to be an American. Let our actions show them it is a good and proud thing to be a part of a nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Amen.