At my house, we fly our flag 24/7.

I shouldn't have to tell you what flag, should I? In case you are wondering, because of my over the top personality, I am indeed speaking of our Star Spangled Banner, 13 strips and 50 stars on a field of blue. Some folks say flying the flag every day makes it meaningless, that it should only be put out on special occasions, i.e. "flag days." I disagree - not because I am trying to say I am "more patriotic than thou" either. I fly that flag because I am proud to be American, and not ashamed of letting others know who are of like leaning, and that's it. I know all about that flag, where it came from, where it has been, why it is made the way it is, how to fold it, and I am not ignorant about it. I would however point out that this month has 5 major national holidays, and 5 Sundays, but only three flag days.

What am I talking about? Why, there are three days a good and patriotic American, even bad and unpatriotic ones, are supposed to fly the flag in front of their house or business. First is VE day, to remember our victory over tyranny and injustice brought on in Europe. The second is Armed Forces Day, a celebration and memorial of those who sacrificed so much time and effort to accomplish such victories. Finally, of course, Memorial Day. That most special day of all days, to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, so our liberty and freedoms might be preserved. It's a day of quiet, of reflection, of consideration, and remembrance. A day I am unashamed to weep for.

Yet wedged in there is also Maritime Day, to remember those civilians who served both in times of war and peace, who brought about victory through production or transportation. And of course, Mothers Day, for those who brought up and trained their children, mostly sons, to love their country and their fellow citizens enough to become the soldiers, sailors, and pilots needed to serve and sacrifice. These two are not "flag days" according to my calendar, but they are important holidays none the less.

But I haven't talked about those "month of Sundays", of which only Mothers Day happens to coincide with one. Yes, there are 5 days of memorial that many in our country still see as important. Many places of business don't make you work on Sunday, and in fact most are closed entirely. That's because once upon a time Sunday was an important memorial day to a lot more people. It was, and still is, a day to remember our savior's victory over tyranny and injustice. It was, and still is, a day set aside to worship God who sacrificed so much time and effort on our behalf to accomplish this great victory. And it was, and still is, a day to remember God's son who died so that we might live, that our liberty and freedoms through Christ might be preserved. It was, and still is, a day of quiet, of reflection, of consideration, and remembrance. Yet how many still weep for it?

As an aside, most calendars have holidays marked in BOLD, and every Sunday was marked that way, but lately I've noticed only secular days like the national holidays are. Sunday was once a holiday that needed no explanation. No longer does it seem to be considered special.

We don't have an All Saints Day proclaimed by God to remember those who served both in times of war and peace, leading the people in the right direction. Instead when we study our bibles we learn about them and live to mimic them. Hopefully we have mothers who teach and train us how to pray, to love our fellow man, and to serve and sacrifice helping as many as possible to not be lost. These are not commanded by God to be remembered on the first of each week in some special way, but they are important things to learn none the less and to fully appreciate.

Some say worship of God every week makes it meaningless; perhaps that is why they only seem to worship twice a year. Even then for them the focus isn't on God, its on presents or rabbits, dressing nice or raising a toast drinking "holiday spirits." Sunday to many is "just another day of play" before going back to work. They are the ones that forget, if they ever knew, the meaning of what they pretend to hold dear.

My flag reminds me I am a citizen of a great country every time I look at it, which I never get tired of remembering. It never becomes meaningless or common. I appreciate the country I live in. But I also remember my heavenly citizenship and hope desperately that in my heart the heavenly banner is flying strong as well for all to see, unashamedly, especially those of like leaning. 24/7.

Randy