Long may it wave.
 

Ladies and gentleman,

My fellow SVXer's. I think it is wonderful that everyone is flying our great flag, on their houses and cars. Most of these external flag poles for cars were never meant to be flown for a long period of time on the freeways and Highways of America.

There have been reports here in California that the Freeways are littered with American flags that have fallen off cars.

PLEASE, take caution add remove them prior to getting on the freeway.

Also, I myself have stopped my car at a light and seen an American flag laying in the street almost run down by a vehicle. I got out of the car and walked over to it. Picked it up, brushed it off and rolled it up.

Please do the same whenever you seen one laying on the ground.

Also one small request. When you fly your American Flag at home please take it down before the sun sets. The only requirement for flying the American flag at night is that it MUST be directly lit.

Semper Fi,

Wayne
USMC

PS. Glad to hear of all the folks that are safe and my prayers are with those folks that didn't make it home to their families.

Great words there, Wayne.

I put out my colors for the first time in years on Wednesday. They were buried in a cupbord (still folded in the triangle, mind you -- I've taught my kids to fold a flag and they don't show a spec of red when they're through -- I'm proud of 'em). As I sat on the porch, just watching it flow in the breeze, the sun began to set. I remembered, "oh no, the sun's going down and the flag can't fly at night unless it's lit. So, I ran quickly . . . and set up a spotlight on it. She flies 24/7 now -- long may she wave!

Re: Long may it wave.
 

I am not an American but I will pick them up Wayne -- people have to respect the flag and country they are in ( IMHO ).

Is it the requirement for the US or international understand for the lights on the flags? I am asking because the UN vehicles withe UN flags have lights that shine on the flag at nights. Perhaps to let them know that UN convoy is on the way.

Lwin

Unfortunately there are no flags available anywhere near our city. Every store has completely sold out!! I found one at my mother's store, but it's not made of "all weather" material and I do not want to leave it outside since it is supposed to rain here the next couple of days. She had one much nicer there as well, but I didn't have a pole big enough to hang it on. Hopefully shores will restock soon.:)

With all of the "commercial/Industrial" crap I've had to write over the past 30 years, it has been hard to be inspired to the point of poetry. I guess it's been about 20 years as a matter of fact.

The other day, the following bit of stuff just started bubbling up and I had to put it to paper.

I've passed it by family and close friends and since they didn't say it was total "crapola" I thought I'd share it with my larger circle of friends. I hope it speaks to you.


The Eagle Cries!
No, not the screeching, awesome, majestic cry of the proud symbol of freedom. It is the deep, heartfelt cry of sorrow that one hears only when a parent has lost a child. The paralyzing wail that is sorrow mingled with the question: “why?” Halt-less tears streaming, gleaming as they drop in puddles at his feet, shoulders shrugging, convulsing with sorrow.

The Eagle Tries . . .
To make sense of a senseless situation, pacing in a helpless rhythm, back and forth, the pendulum swinging with each step – sorrow, anger, sorrow, anger, sorrow, anger – the ticking of the clock pounding, the voices crying out, families weeping, loved ones keeping watch, jaws set firm with the resolve of hope, while other pallid faces are faced with aloneness – a void where laughter, love and life once dwelt.

The Eagle, Wise . . .
Wakens from the morose images, head shaking, breast quaking throwing off the anguish to focus on a job that must be done. He chokes back the word revenge as the need pervades the thoughts of a prideful parent, fixed on making the bully pay for attacking his child. Suddenly, wings snapping open wide with a sound as loud as thunder, in a pose of parental protection. No more of my children will be hurt . . . No more of my children will die at the hands of ruthless, cowardly killers.

The Eagle Flies!
Pressing hard against the air, the Eagle lifts its awesome form against a field of blue, a sky filled with stars, slashed with white and streaked with red from the blood of those who stood and fought for freedom. His eyes scan back and forth . . . searching . . . choosing his prey carefully. One last push of the air and wings, motionless, outstretched glide the Eagle downward . . . spiraling, silently floating toward his mark. There is no anger . . . it is not revenge . . . it is focus, as the eagle nears the target, and flings his feet forward . . . talons glistening like the rays of hope of those who wait and hear nothing. With one swift motion and pause-less precision . . . the prey is grasped firmly in the clutches of the protector, and as the Eagle begins to beat his wings, once again, the wind surges beneath their power and a gentle hiss whispers, “justice.”


Randy Johnson
September 17, 2001

Great job Randy!
 

Awesome... You said it all. I am truly touched by your poetic words. With your permission (and of course credit given) I would like to distribute this among my friends and family.

I can only hope the last verse rings true...

Re: Great job Randy!
 

Feel free. Thank you. It would be an honor.

Simply Outstanding

I'll make sure to get a gold star for you from my teacher-wife. :D

Me too
 

Randy already got my "thumbs up" via email!
Don

Randy,

It's terrific. I think that you should have it published.

Larry III

Thank you , Nick. I haven't gotten one of those since . . . well, since . . . um, well, uh . . . okay, tell Amber it'd be my first. :D

Thank you, Larry. I don't know that it's worthy of being published, but, I appreciate your thinking so.

Definitely excellent work!:D

Truly heartfelt & moving, Randy. I wish you could have worked in a line about the Y****w slime that backed this atrocity, but I know the difficulty you'd have just thinking about it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Ron.