Post by paulg on Aug 16, 2011 17:37:54 GMT -5
Everyday I see and hear so many that take their freedom for granted, even I do at times. I get so caught up in the everyday struggles of life that I forget what a privilege it is to live in this great country of ours and I served in the military. (Navy) I am a utility worker in a small retirement community here in central Florida. We have about 1200 residents and a more patriotic bunch I don't think you could find.
At times I think of a patriot as one of our gentleman who was a gunner on a B-29. Man can he tell some stories. Or the men who turn out every 4th of July to present the colors along with a 21 gun salute. But I want to tell you about another patriot I met here.
Every morning I go about my normal rounds and there is one house in particular that I walk by everyday. It's nothing fancy, a nice yard with pretty flowers all around. I noticed on the window of the car a sticker denoting that the driver is a member of the Ladies Axillary of the VFW. Every morning I see this quiet woman get up at 7:00 a.m. scuttle to the end of her carport and put up her American Flag and every evening she returns to take the flag down. She treats that flag with the respect that any fighting man in any war would.
Yesterday I stopped by her home to tell her that a few of her sprinkler heads weren't working properly. I have spoken to her before and I was looking forward to a pleasant conversation. When I knocked on her door I received no answer so I went on my way. I learned later in the day that she had passed away a few days earlier. I work in a retirement community so these things happen quite regularly but this one hit me harder than most and I couldn't figure it out until I remembered her quiet patriotism. The way she proudly and carefully displayed her flag and the sticker on her car letting everyone know that she was a patriot.
She taught me that a patriot doesn't always come wrapped in fatigues with a sidearm and rifle. A patriot can be a quiet, gentle lady that was proud of her flag and her country. God Bless America!!
At times I think of a patriot as one of our gentleman who was a gunner on a B-29. Man can he tell some stories. Or the men who turn out every 4th of July to present the colors along with a 21 gun salute. But I want to tell you about another patriot I met here.
Every morning I go about my normal rounds and there is one house in particular that I walk by everyday. It's nothing fancy, a nice yard with pretty flowers all around. I noticed on the window of the car a sticker denoting that the driver is a member of the Ladies Axillary of the VFW. Every morning I see this quiet woman get up at 7:00 a.m. scuttle to the end of her carport and put up her American Flag and every evening she returns to take the flag down. She treats that flag with the respect that any fighting man in any war would.
Yesterday I stopped by her home to tell her that a few of her sprinkler heads weren't working properly. I have spoken to her before and I was looking forward to a pleasant conversation. When I knocked on her door I received no answer so I went on my way. I learned later in the day that she had passed away a few days earlier. I work in a retirement community so these things happen quite regularly but this one hit me harder than most and I couldn't figure it out until I remembered her quiet patriotism. The way she proudly and carefully displayed her flag and the sticker on her car letting everyone know that she was a patriot.
She taught me that a patriot doesn't always come wrapped in fatigues with a sidearm and rifle. A patriot can be a quiet, gentle lady that was proud of her flag and her country. God Bless America!!
