One of my constant readers, Jen Logueflower sends in this Memorial Day contribution, sung on Memorial Day Eve across the street from the Avenue of Flags at Graceland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Wisconsin, America, in the Year of Our Lord, 2021.
Backstory: William Page 1868-1942 great-great-grandfather was a member of the House of Burgesses of the Province of Virginia. He was also descended from the 10th US president, John Tyler. At 13, began his national public service as a page. It was the beginning of a 61-year career.
At 49 he submitted an entry to a patriotic contest as America entered WWI. The goal of the contest was to have a concise but complete statement of American political faith. Inspired on the way home from church, having just recited the Apostles’ Creed Page drew on Declaration of Independence, Preamble to Constitution, Gettysburg Address, and Edward Everett Hale’s 1863 short story ‘The Man Without a Country.”
His creed was chosen from more than 3000 other entries.
The Text: “I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its Flag, and to defend it against all enemies.
–Accepted by House of Representatives, April 3rd, 1918
“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
“When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
My hat’s in my hand. Tremendous rendition, Jen.
In these trying times, I still believe, love, admire this great nation. Having been to the great walls in DC, reading the names of those who gave everything, watching those left behind, tears streaming, hand on the name their name the names of their people.
Today at 10:00 we attend the local parade for our hero’s, 4 F15s, 400 knots, at 1000, fly by and one peals off to honor our fallen.
It saddens me to hear our young call this a holiday, this is The day to honor the men and women whom won’t be coming home. Those who stepped up, to fight for this the greatest nation on the planet, to defend our freedom, or the freedom of other free nations in distress.
It is The People who make up this great nation, not a corrupted govt. we are strong we will prevail.
Our flags flying here, it flys everyday, like life is a bit faded, we don’t mind. This flag flew over the Special Forces Compound at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan, a gift from a close friend, the then commander of joint forces SF.
Thank you who served for your service, your sacrifices. Know that the fight was worth it, we are the greatest nation ever.
VI
Stolen, fair and square, just like each of my other good ideas I’ve found at someone else’s place.
I swore the same oath as many here, and it still applies. Signed my life away on a blank check, and well..you all know the rest.
But, I’m a Pattonite. I don’t seek to give my life for my country. I intend to make the other poor sonfabitch die for his/her/it’s/theirs/cats/dogs/livingtogether/whatthehellover/etc.
Until they light off the festivities though, I remain, your friend and fellow belligerent.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
p.s. I’ll be out in Walnut Creek in about two weeks. Holler if a drink suggested and a pub is nigh?
Well stated friend. Well stated.
Thank you for posting this Gerard.
There seems to be a lack of understanding on the part of many that freedom depends on sacrifice by those who want freedom. One thing that is required to defend freedom is active outspoken action by the people. You cannot hide in your closet while the nation is being dismantled by our enemy right in front of all to see. The maggots from the sewers are now in control of the power of our Country. We, you and I are being prepared for slavery or death.
Do not comply. Be free.
The great majority of folks I’ve known over the years, WW II veterans, garage mechanics, common folks, mentors, friends and lovers, are dead.
None the less, not at all surprisingly, many of their doings still resonate in my mind and echo in other’s actions today.
I’m exceedingly grateful they were, that the America we knew was, and that such will hopefully shape America’s tomorrow.
Gerard,
This is one of your posts which should be somehow less than fleeting. Perhaps it should be given space in the right side of the page for a period of time.
Regardless, below is a link to an archived copy of the story “Man Without A Country.”
Perhaps a reposting with links to the “Apostles’ Creed … Declaration of Independence, Preamble to Constitution, Gettysburg Address, and (this the referenced story) … ”
https://archive.org/details/manwithoutcountr00hale_1