Monthly Archives: June 2020

Michael Warren Published 11:00 p.m. ET June 13, 2020

The streets are awash with protesters. Looting and arson dot our landscape. COVID-19 has killed over 100,000. Unemployment is pounding workers. And we are, of all things, supposed to celebrate the flag on June 14? Once an uncontroversial display of patriotism, you can no doubt envision the histrionic divides that celebrating our national emblem will likely bring. Would we really be surprised if Flag Day is marked by flag burnings?

Before those inclined to torch Old Glory do so, they might consider the origins of Flag Day it is deeply rooted in freedom and equality. On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress approved a resolution establishing a uniform national flag. The Betsy Ross flag was born to represent the freest nation the earth had ever seen. Although it no doubt generated heartfelt feelings of patriotism, it was not revered.

The Civil War changed that. Fort Sumter was attacked, and the flag of the United States was torn asunder.

A visceral reaction of passionate patriotism took hold. Republican Unionist Jonathan Flynt Morris urged Charles Dudley Warner of the Hartford Evening Press to pen an editorial about the need to revere the flag; on June 10, 1861, Warner proposed that America establish a new Flag Day. The editorial sang: This flag is our dearest symbol of nationality. It stands for civil liberty on this continent. To keep it full high advanced is our highest pride; to strike at it is to arouse all the passion of the nation to defend it, and to punish the perpetrators of the outrage.

Flag Day was born in a spirit of saving the Union and freeing the slaves.

Like most holidays, Flag Day slowly grew. Federal recognition waited until May 30, 1916, through a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson.Wilsons magnificent proclamation explained that Flag Day is a day upon which we should direct our minds with a special desire of renewal to thoughts of the ideals and principles of which we have sought to make our great Government the embodiment.

Finally, on Aug. 3, 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14 of each year as National Flag Day.

An American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington.(Photo: Andrew Harnik, AP)

Flag Day exemplifies unity the brainchild of Republicans and instituted by Democrats. It reminds people of our founding first principles declared in our Declaration of Independence and embedded in our Constitution. The first principles include equality, limited government, the rule of law, unalienable rights, the Social Compact, and the right to alter or abolish oppressive government.

Today we are painfully reminded that America did not fulfill those first principles for all in 1776 or even today. Yet it was the belief in those first principles that inspired generations of patriots to move us closer to their fulfillment. Abolitionism, womans suffrage, and the civil rights struggles all called upon the first principles to push the country toward the arc of justice.

Demands for equality, the equal application of the rule of law, and protecting the unalienable rights of everyone is at the heart of the protests sparked by George Floyds death. Unlike any other country in the world, our flag stands for ideals ideals we should all embrace. Our flag is not a symbol of oppression, but one representing the most free nation on earth an indispensable stepping stone to the expansion of liberty on the world stage.

This is why Patriot Weeks celebration of a different historical flag each day of the week is so vital:Sept. 11, the anniversary of the terrorist attacks; Sept. 17, the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution; the current U.S. Flag;the Betsy Ross Flag;the Suffragette Flag;and the Fort Sumter Flag. They tell the story of America and how the battle for liberty and freedom is an unceasing struggle.

More than ever, this Flag Day we should all proudly display Old Glory and rededicate ourselves to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and our first principles.

Hon. Michael Warren is an Oakland County Circuit Court Judge and co-founder of Patriot Week (www.PatriotWeek.org) with his then 10 year old daughter Leah.

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Opinion: Flag Day rooted in freedom and equality - The Detroit News

In Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the delegates to the Second Continental Congress ratified a declaration of the delegates called the Declaration of Independence.

The purpose of this declaration was to set forth the grievances the colonies had against the king and crown in their governance of the colonies. Among other things, the delegates notified the king that they wanted to dissolve the political bonds that connected the colonies to England and to become a free and independent nation. This missive was sent to the king. Naturally, he wasnt going to yield to its demands.

The crown already had several garrisons of troopsstationed in the colonies. The kings reaction to the declaration was to send more troops to enforce his authority.

The American colonist was a stoic individual: part frontiersman, part farmer and part tradesman. He grew up taming a wilderness and making it into his home. A bunch of British in white wigs and fancy pants were not going to hijack his home. The colonies were a rich plum for the king and his Loyalists.They did not want to see this income producing land slip through their fingers.

The dynamics of the situation kept moving the sides towards armed confrontation. That day finally came on April 19,1775.

The British troops and members of the Massachusetts militia converged upon each other at a bridgecrossing a small creek in Concord, Massachusetts. It is not known who fired the first shot. It was fired and the war for American independence began. In the beginning, the Colonial Army had no leadership, no money and no cannons.

George Washington was a surveyor and planter from Virginia. He was an officer in the Virginia militia and had served under the British in the French and Indian War. At that time the Commonwealth of Virginia extended to the frontier, the Ohio Valley. The Continental Congress hired him as the commander of the Colonial forces. Almost immediately, Commander Washington began turning his rag tag Army into soldiers.

Commander Washington knew and under stood the British tactics and discipline of battle. He also knew thetactics of the Indian nations. He was able to combine the best features of each into an American combat form: guerilla warfare.

Being people from the land, the Colonial soldier was easily able to adapt to Washingtons style. Attacking from behind rock walls, trees and buildings, the Colonials took out the officers leading the British battle march and caused disarray among their troops. With their discipline compromised, the Colonials could rout the British battle formations.

Myth has George Washington sleeping in many places during his tenure of command. The myths may be more fact than fiction, since the British had a price on his head, and labeled him a traitor. Washington had to avoid capture at all costs. He had to frequently change his location to prevent the opportunity for the British to capture him.

The methods of battle introduced by Washington unnerved the British command so much so that eventually Lord Cornwallis moved the British operations south to the Yorktown Peninsula. This move would eventually prove fatal for the British. The crown had not endeared themselves to the other European Heads during this time. As a result, some of the crowns of Europe had given token support to Washington and his Colonials. The French in particular gave naval support off the Yorktown peninsula. The Colonial land operations gradually pushed the British towards the sea. At some point, Lord Cornwallis realized the futility of the British cause and loaded his troops aboard ships bound for England.

The land battles in the Colonies was over. Of course the British would come back for a second bite at the apple in 1812. A stronger and more organized United States of America would turn them back again.

The diplomatic war for independence would take place in Paris, France. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay would help authoring the 1783 Treaty of Paris. That treaty, which was ratified by the British Parliament, recognized the United States of American as a free and independent nation. There were many clauses in the Treaty dealing with many issues separating the U.S from England. But, the long and short of it is, the UnitedStates of America is a free and independent nation.

The ratification of that treaty was one of the smartest things the British Parliament would ever do. While there was some animosity at first, in later years the two nations would be staunch allies. We got their fat out of the fire a few times.

The days of George Washington and Ben Franklin are long gone. But, they have left us a priceless legacy. We are a free people with the right of self determination. But, we must remember, the loss of our freedom is only a generation away. We must be vigilant and ready to protect what we have.

Richard A. Pender is the senior vice commander of American Legion Post 459 in North Brunswick. He writes the occasional column for Newspaper Media Group. He can be reached at rapender@netzero.net.

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Opinion: The birth of our nation - we must protect the freedom we have - centraljersey.com

Regarding a letter to the editor that you ran on June 9, 2020: I, too have relatives who served in WWII, including a cousin who was killed in France. Yes, they were fighting for our flag and our freedom. But, many black men served, too, and how much freedom did they get?

It wasn't until 1964 that the Civil Rights Act was passed and that certainly didn't solve all the problems. My relatives came back to the Kittitas Valley and lived a good life of peace, freedom, and opportunity. Most black men went back to the Jim Crow South, or to the North where discrimination was still rampant in many places. Why wouldn't they and their offspring and their offspring's offspring doubt that the flag meant freedom for them? Our salute to the flag says, "With freedom and justice for all." Why shouldn't they protest to make the flag salute ring true?

Colin Kaepernick should be admired for putting his money where his mouth is. He sacrificed a lot to kneel that day. As for the small percentage of blacks who make millions of dollars, they make that because the American people are willing to pay for it. And because they do, does that mean all the rest of black citizens should just keep quiet and not protest anything?

As to the marriage vows, I've been married for 63 years (to the same man, by the way). I am living my life in the way that is best for me and doesn't do harm to anyone else. Everyone should have the freedom to do that without condemnation from people who choose to live a different way. Maybe I don't understand the Bible because I don't hold it upside down!

My ancestor's helped build America, too, and I don't perceive trying to make it a better place as tearing it down.

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Letter: The flag has not represented freedom and justice for all - Daily Record-News

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A Japanese man (Ryo Kase, right) meets a coffee shop owner (Moon So-ri, left) while searching for a woman in South Korea in "Hill of Freedom."

Mori (Ryo Kase) is a Japanese man who walks around a town in South Korea carrying a book about time. The barista at the coffee shop he frequents keeps telling him, Tell me about it later.

Thats a droll joke, because there is no later, or earlier, in Hong Sang-soos Hill of Freedom. In telling Moris adventures, Hong has chosen to jumble up the chronology of the scenes in the film. So we see Mori go to bed with the friendly coffee server (Moon So-ri), and then later, she casually flirts with him over a slice of chocolate cake as if they had just met.

Hill of Freedom was filmed in 2014, but Hong has released so many films lately that its finally now making it to America. The UW Cinematheque is screening the film as part of a Virtual Cinema series, and is giving away a limited number of free screening links to viewers who email HILL to info@cinema.wisc.edu.

Mori has come to South Korea with a purpose. Hes trying to reunite with a Japanese woman Kwon (Seo Young-hwa), with whom he previously had a relationship, or at least a deep friendship. He has an address but no phone number for her, so his plan is to show up, uninvited and unannounced, in her town and try to track her down.

Bad plan. Hill of Freedom follows Mori as he fruitlessly wanders the streets trying to find Kwon, who he keeps just missing. While hes wandering around, he has that romance with the coffee shop owner (the shop is called Hill of Freedom) and chats with the pushy nephew of the owner of the B&B hes staying at.

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Time isn't on the side of a frustrated lover in 'Hill of Freedom' - Madison.com

This weeks four-legged friends are at Red Desert Humane Society. Stop by and meet them today!

Freedom

Hi there! Im Freedom, a two-year-old female cat. I have a lot of personality! I have a spunky attitude which makes me a lot of fun. I would prefer a home with no dogs, but I might not mind another cat. Female. If youre looking for a sweet and lively cat to fill your days with more joy, Im your girl!

Sassy

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Hey! Im Sassy, a two-year-old female cat. Contrary to my name, Im a sweetheart. Im very friendly and I love both giving and receiving love and attention. I even give love bites! And since Im so sweet, I get along well with other cats. I really cant wait to meet you!

Al

Hello! Im Al, a one-year-old male cat. Im a little shy, but Im a very sweet boy. I just need a bit of time to warm up and well be the best of friends! Im not sure how I feel about dogs yet, but I like other cats and get along with them quite well. Im already excited to make myself at home with my new family!

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Adorable & AdoptablePets of the Week: Freedom, Sassy, & Al - SweetwaterNOW.com

I

snt America weary? It seems most of us are overcome from news regarding heartbreaking stories of racism and a virus, both of which seem to not be easy to cure.

Doesnt Christmas 2019 seem as if it were a 100 years ago? Today I wish I could return to the holidays to feel a family hug, or hear the carols sung in church, or be exhausted from baking cookies instead of handling this type of fatigue. It is funny how we genuinely dont appreciate things until they become unattainable.

We are all weary from COVID-19 and witnessing heart-wrenching acts of bigotry and violence. America is one big ole mess of illness and emotion. As I type, I notice my American flag waving in the breeze out my office window. The brightness of the red, white, and blue seems as if it is trying desperately to lift my spirits and remind me of what she has been through while flying for years over my country.

She has survived some nastiness in her day. She watched as folks died when fevers, viruses, and other illnesses swept her land. She held herself low when Presidents were assassinated, and soldiers fell at her feet while proudly hoisting her. She witnessed slavery come to her shores and waved triumphantly when it sailed away. She was tattered and split when civil war spilled the blood of her people over her grounds. She has viewed her citizens economy flourish and fall. Yet, she still flies eloquently above our land, reminding us, she has seen it all. She seems to never get weary from waving back and forth, seeking to breathe hope and spirit again into her America.

There is something about our country that pulls us from our days of darkness and encourages us not to succumb to the evil that attempts to penetrate our soil. The cure for America is always our freedom.

Freedom to pursue cures for the sick and vaccines for the future. Freedom to cast our votes and eyes upon new leadership. Freedom to rebuild with the power of our own hands, and freedom to worship so that we understand we must love all Gods people. We have the freedom to walk our streets in protest, to wave our banners, and to espouse our beliefs. We must maintain our freedom of the press to keep us informed, and finally, we have the freedom to change.

We can unify our land if our flag reminds us that we are one color through Gods eyes and hers. Because we are Americans, we can shape who we are by listening, serving, and are willing to reconstruct our thoughts, hearts, and actions. We have worked hard before, we know sacrifice, and we will come up with solutions to make our old glory become a glorious new symbol for us all.

Our citizens are weary, but we are the problem-solvers of the world. We need to get our self-indulgent, spoiled silly selves off the couch, get to work, and quit complaining. From every corner of this land, from that old sea to shining sea, we need to rise as one nation, under God, as it was intended.

We must never believe that we are Republican or Democrat before we are American. We must understand that our flag represents equality for every American. If we allow ourselves to continue the polarization of our United States, we might as well take the flag down, fold it up, and put it away. At that point, America, as we know it, will be gone. This is the time to gather ourselves in our weariness and win the battle over division, intolerance, and injustice.

We can be better, achieve more, and have another Christmas with hugs and cookies. However, each American citizen should provide a monumental effort to put our lives in order and care enough for each other to do the Godly right things to ensure that occurs.

My mind returns to history and the soldiers of all colors who fought and died valiantly to defend our freedom. My ears still ring with the words of Abraham Lincolns Gettysburg Address. My heart continues to weep for those whose remains rest on other shores instead of their homeland. They gave all they could to keep us safe and allow liberty and equality to prosper. We must do the same, so their sacrifices are not in vain. Even though we are tired, we must rise to become the embodiment of what living under the waving American flag means. It means our freedom.

That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth. President Abraham Lincoln

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Freedom is the cure for America's condition today - LaGrange Daily News - LaGrange Daily News