Memorial day 2010 THANK YOU VETERANS

The best May 30th I ever spent was in a small cemetary devored to the allied dead of "The War to End All Wars," about thirty miles outside of London. I wish we Yanks were as respectful to American war dead as those Brits are.

My 8 year old son is a Cub Scout. his pack leader asked all of us at the last meeting to participate in a Memorial Day parade in the little burg near their house. the pack leader's wife was in the paper last year after their parade didn't even have a color guard. so the Cub Scouts were called up. However, this year the parade had two color guards. A group of veterans (unfortunately I didn't find out if they were VFW or what) led the parade, followed by some very proud Cub Scouts with their flags and banner. the parade led to the cemetery where the veterans gave their fellows a 21 gun salute, the kids put little pine boughs on the veterans' graves, and one of the veterans played Taps. very touching. this little town has a veteran from every war from the Revolutionary War up through at least the Korean Conflict, and after the cermonythe little church next to the cemetery had a little program. unfortunately, the person who put the program together didn't tell the Cub Scouts that she put them on the program as leading the group inside in the Pledge of Allegiance. all of the Scouts had gone, except for my son, who was walking around the graves with my wife, looking for her great-grandparents who are buried there somwhere. as soon as they came in the door, the woman down front called him up andasked him if he would lead them in the Pledge. So one red-faced Bear Scout led the group in saying the Pledge of Allegiance. twice in one day, I had a tear in my eye. Thank you, all who served.

I wonder why we pledge allegiance to the flag. Shouldn't it be the Constitution, the basis of the nation, not just a symbolic flag. The best May 30th I ever had was in a small cemetary west of London where dead from 'The War to end all Wars" are burried. No long speeches, or parade, etc. Just a padre saying a few words and a lone piper playing 'Last Post'.

Because people need a visual reference. "And to the Republic for which it stands,"

Dan

How about if a poster of the Constitution was nearby? I have two copies within arms reach. Worth reading. Hand copies to you youngsters and lat them come to you for answers.

BTW, I was quite pleased with the US / England football match outcome.

How come the actuality (frepublic) ake second place to the symbol (flag)