Before I begin I place this Flag here at rest. This
Flag has seen good service. It has been flown with pride, It has weathered
storms and drought, it has stood the lonely watch at night, it has been lowered
to half mast in honor of Fallen hero’s and in mourning for lives that were too
soon lost. It has served our country, as have many thousands like it. Like
thousands who have come before it. And now I lay it here at rest.
This particular flag has been in my charge and
keeping since first it was raised upon the staff. I would not then leave it
unguarded now.
Sister Patriotism. (She comes forward) To your
station belong lessons of national pride, of service to country, and of
sacrifice in the name of Freedom. Will you stand this watch? (Answers and takes
position)
Sister Hope. (Comes forward) Hope is the belief that
tomorrow will be better than today. Hope is that which keeps each of us upon
our feet when we know that we should fall down in anguish and defeat; it is a
bastion of untold strength and it is the beginning of the end of doubt. Will
you stand this watch? (Answers and takes position)
Sister Faith: (comes forward) Faith is our light and
guide. It is what allows us to see truth in our darkest hour; it is the fire
that keeps us warm even in the coldest deepest night of despair. Will you stand
this watch? (Answers and takes position)
Very well I charge you then to guard this flag until
those shall appear before us who are appointed to receive it and retire it with
due and ancient respect and honor. You may be seated.
Brothers and Sisters, honored guest, and most
especially members of Arlington Rainbow Assembly. It is my honor tonight to
present this Veterans Day program.
I have the Privilege of being a Veteran, who is the child,
nephew, grandchild, brother, and even
great-grandchild of Veterans. I am honored to say that one day I will be the
Father of a Veteran as my Son now serves in the US Navy.
It is easy to understand why this day is so
important to me, but I am here today to help this assembly show honor and
respect to those who have served.
(Ask all veterans to raise their hands)
(Ask family of veterans to raise their hands)
(Ask family of veterans to raise their hands)
(Ask friends of veterans to raise their hands.)
It has been said that a veteran is someone who has
written a blank check to their country for anything and everything up to and
including the cost of their life. This is true of any soldier.
However I tell you now there is more to every Veteran.
I would like to share a piece written by a man that
though he was not a Mason he was accorded the privilege of being an honorary
Shiner. Mr. Johnny Cash
The Ragged Old Flag
by Johnny Cash
I walked through a county courthouse
square
On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.
I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down,
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town".
I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,
And that's a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it".
He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down,
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"
I said, "I think it is"
He said "I don't like to brag, but we're kinda proud of
That Ragged Old Flag
"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it,
writing "Say Can You See"
It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson
tugging at its seams.
and It almost fell at the Alamo
beside the Texas flag,
But she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
That Ragged Old Flag
"On Flanders Field in World War I,
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two,
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent
by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home
in her own good land here She's been abused,
She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,
And the government for which she stands
Has been scandalized throughout out the land.
And she's getting thread bare, and she's wearin' thin,
But she's in good shape, for the shape she's in.
Cause she's been through the fire before
and I believe she can take a whole lot more.
"So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down slow every night,
We don't let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thought
I *do* like to brag
Cause I'm mighty proud of
That Ragged Old Flag"
On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.
I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down,
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town".
I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,
And that's a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it".
He said, "Have a seat", and I sat down,
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"
I said, "I think it is"
He said "I don't like to brag, but we're kinda proud of
That Ragged Old Flag
"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it,
writing "Say Can You See"
It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson
tugging at its seams.
and It almost fell at the Alamo
beside the Texas flag,
But she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
That Ragged Old Flag
"On Flanders Field in World War I,
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two,
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent
by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home
in her own good land here She's been abused,
She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,
And the government for which she stands
Has been scandalized throughout out the land.
And she's getting thread bare, and she's wearin' thin,
But she's in good shape, for the shape she's in.
Cause she's been through the fire before
and I believe she can take a whole lot more.
"So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down slow every night,
We don't let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thought
I *do* like to brag
Cause I'm mighty proud of
That Ragged Old Flag"
When I chose tonight, to bring this flag and set an
honor guard, it was not hap-hazard.
This flag I mean to represent every man and woman
who has taken the oath to give their life for mine, for yours, for our
countries. They have stood with Pride in Rank and file. They have weathered the
storms of war and public opinion. They have stood the lonely watch at night
that we may sleep in peace. They have fallen to their knees in sorrow for the
loss of friends and fellow soldiers, and for the loss of innocent lives. We who
are Veterans have done this as many thousands like us and like all of those who
came before us, And like them one day we will rest.
I chose Sister Faith to guard this flag. It is by
faith in God, faith in freedom, faith in our fellow man that we choose to stand
upon a line and say to those who would take these treasures “you shall not
pass.”
I chose Sister Hope to guard this flag. It is by
Hope we hold a vision of a better tomorrow, it is the hope for our children,
and the hope that our service may help our fellow man that we draw that line
into the sand.
I chose Sister Patriotism, she who, some in our
country now seem to forget and at times even shun. Patriotism is that deep down
pride in who we are, that demands we look unto our leaders and question them.
It is this duty to our nation that we should embrace and hold unto our hearts
that demands we do not sit by and let someone do for us. It is Patriotism that
commands this Honor Guard though she cannot stand without the strength of Hope
and Faith. It is to her we look to guard our future.
If you would all please rise (gavel)
Person
appointed to receive the flag enters
Brother ________ if you would lead us in prayer for
our veterans.
Patriotism
hands over the flag
No comments:
Post a Comment