Fleeting Glimpse of America

New American flag raised.

Replaced an old worn-out American flag at a senior citizen center today in front of 40 or so members. After the ceremony when it was furled out and snapping against the wind, they began reciting the pledge of allegiance followed by singing the national anthem, unprompted.

It hit hard when I realized the country these folks grew up in is truly gone.

While Boomer bashing can be en vogue, it is easy to forget that it wasn't them who made the decisive votes on major legislation in the 1950's and early 60's that set America on the eventual trajectory she landed on today. Mostly, it was this group who worried about siblings and sweethearts in Vietnam, worked jobs that had actual pensions, as well as the ones that thanked me for my service today and made me take home-baked goods they had brought for the flag ceremony.

We can not go back in time or reclaim the past-yet we must remember who we were and can be again as a people and nation in the future.