...These Colors Don't Run

We just moved to Arlington back in June. I have been taking time to sit in garage and go through moms "stuff" she kept over the years. Its amazing all the things we accumulate over time and what we deem important enough to hold on to. This weekend I came across her box of things that were my brothers keep sakes, memories, etc. My brother passed away in 1996 on Sept. 10th, at the ripe old age of 39. He had cancer. As I begin to pick up things to look at, pictures, articles of clothing, I begin to weep. There was a little jacket my uncle, who was in the airforce, had bought for him while he served in Korea. I was especially moved when I picked up the U.S. flag my mother was given by the Navy after his death, I remembered a phrase I had read on a T-shirt of a friend. Speaking of the American flag, the T-shirt said "these colors don't run". I still believe that. Since he passed away, there has been 911, Katrina, Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, and now the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. America isn't perfect by no stretch of the imagination. But one thing we can say is that when duty calls, when tragedy strikes, when challenges arise, when some leaders would push us towards socialism, "these colors don't run".

I remembered his memorial service. I still had the notes he wrote down for me & our pastor at the time. When he found out he had cancer and only had months if not but a few weeks to live. He made preparations. He made a VCR tape to say good bye. He also wrote letters to my mother & myself, telling us how much he loved us and how much we meant to him.

My oldest son is about to set off for college. He has aspirations to study law, maybe practice, and possibly to become a politician. I'm going to give him my brother's flag and remind him that no matter where his political pursuits take him,
always honor that flag, especially those who sacrifice their lives to protect it and what it represents. Many a loyal soldier, sailor, airman, marine, has let their own blood run so we can say about the flag & freedom they protected. These "colors don't run."
Thoughts & prayers, DLC