American Pride

Last week Dedo and I had a chance to take a trip to Washington D.C.  Last time I was there, I was 10 years old so I don't remember a lot about the city.  But I love history, so I was excited to be able to go for a few days.

I think every American should go to DC and experience the history that made the United States the greatest nation on earth.  Actually reading the original Declaration of Independence was awesome.  As I looked at those 56 signatures, it occured to me that they were signing a death warrant.  The King of England would hunt these men down during the war and try to destroy them.  What courage they must have had.  Benjamin Franklin was 70 years old when he signed.  What must have been running through his mind? 

The Constitution of the United States made me shiver as I read those famous words "We the people of the United States...  Most of the signatures are fading away, although you can see "B. Franklin."  He was the only one who signed both documents.

One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the "Star Spangled Banner" flag that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the famous song.  Displayed in the American History Museum, it is torn and dirty, but still in one piece.  There are 13 stars and strips and the thing is 14X32 feet. 

I love all things Lincoln.  To see the top hat that he wore the night he was assassinated is just incredible.  His blood on the sleeve of a woman who was in the box with his is also displayed.  The Lincoln Memorial was my favorite memorial around the National Mall.  He was a great man who died for his country!

For the first time in my life, I got to see my uncle's name on the Vietnam Memorial.  Uncle Walt was captured by the Viet Cong in 1959 while during secret ops with Laotian troops.  He was tortured as the only officer captured and killed as he tried to escape.  His body has never been found.  He is the 13th name on the first wall (1959).  To actually see it brought back a lot of memories of my uncle.  He was a hero.

Then, last but not least...seeing Jerry Seinfeld's "poofy shirt" was great.  It's one of my all time favorite episodes and just seeing the shirt made me laugh.

You can't help but be proud of our nation.  The thing that stands out clearly is that our forefathers were men of faith who built this nation on God.  It is sad to see how far we have drifted from their original intent.  They knew that the nation had to be founded on truths, not opinions.  God has blessed us greatly, but it is time that believers get more involved in the direction of this nation.  We need to vote, speak up and financially support the men and women who believe like we do.  I am not going to argue, debate and worry about things I have no control over today.  But every election day, we can control the direction of the nation.

All in all, it was a terrific time and I returned back to DFW proud to be an American.

Comments

[woody]

Rush-speak: dittoes

[Royal Farris]

Lisa and I got to live there for a year...It is cool deal to be around all that history...If you have not read John Adams or 1776 by David McCullough, I would recommend them.....