Today a very impressive flag ceremony was held on the flight deck of USS Yorktown (CV-10). Appropriately 02 July is our actual date of Independence as the Continental Congress passed their resolution for independence on 02 July 1776. The ceremony was part of the Harley Owner Group network as they ride our national flag across America through 48 states in 100 days for a program called Nation of Patriots. The journey of the flag is to honor our armed forces past, present and fallen. They are also seeking to raise money for the families of wounded veterans, click above on Nation of Patriots to learn more.
The flag was escorted to Patriots Point by Charleston County Police motorcycles and a motorcade of about 60 HOG (Harley Owner Group) riders. Once the flag was delivered by motorcycle to the Charleston Naval Weapons Station color guard, it was presented by them for raising above the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, one of our nation's most decorated aircraft carriers.
[caption id="attachment_1155" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Flag raised and then lowered to half mast (due to Senator Byrd's death)."]
Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. James Livingston, USMC (Ret.), speaks to the group. Speaker for the short flag ceremony was Major General James Livingston, USMC (Ret.), who is a Medal of Honor recipient from Vietnam. His words focused on the symbol our flag has held for the nation during our history and how each person who has served our nation is a part of the flag. It also represents the hopes of others around the world who aspire to liberty and freedom, but who do not have it.
The ceremony reflected the great dignity and honor the nation normally holds for the flag, even while others throughout the globe and even in our own country use their freedom to despise it. Let us reflect upon our flag this weekend, the blood and suffering of many went into the building of our country, and while not perfect, America is still the "lamp beside the golden door."
Watch the video below of a Chicago Cubs game and Rick Monday's quick effort to save our flag, may our nation continue to raise men and women like this...