Happy Independence Day everyone. Today I’m sharing a poem that I received by email from my Aunt Karen. So in between your barbeques, parades and fireworks, let’s remember the significance of July 4, 1776.
Love, Pugsley
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS
ONE NATION UNDER GOD
INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
For all of our military personnel, where ever they may be.
Please support all of the troops defending our Country.
And God Bless all our Military, who are protecting our Country for our Freedom. Thanks to them, and their sacrifices, we can celebrate the 4th of July.
We must never forget who gets the credit for the freedoms we have,
for which we should be eternally grateful.
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform;
so young, so tall, so proud.
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
he’d stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil;
how many mothers’ tears?
How many pilots’ planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves?
NO, FREEDOM ISN’T FREE!
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
when everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant ‘Amen.’
When a flag had draped a coffin
of a brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
of the mothers and the wives,
of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea.
Of unmarked graves in Arlington .
NO FREEDOM ISN’T FREE
Enjoy Your Freedom
and
God Bless Our Troops.
Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Soldier, prayer is the very best one.
pugsleysworld 
Thanks, Pugsley, for reminding us about the real meaning of today. (Thanks to Aunt Karen, too). I will remember your posting throughout the day and especially this evening as I watch the “rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air” — Texas style, that is. You look so cute, but I’m thinking you don’t really like the glasses?!
Love to you and mom,
Aunt Teresa
I’m not loving the glasses Aunt Teresa. Mom took them off me right after the photo. My goggles are cool, but these were just toooooo weird and the kids on the street were laughing at me. At least I don’t have sparklers in my ears…..or worse hahahahaha snort! xo, Pugsley
Thank you dearest nephew Pugsley for being so conscious and aware.
Thanks for the poems of blessing and remembrance
It’s my purpose Tio JC!!!
Thanks, Pugsley! Your aunt’s poem really says it all. I was in Ireland for the 4th of July and it was very strange — only one mention was made of the day on the Irish t.v. explaining the celebration and the fact that the U.S. ambassador to Dublin was hosting a barbecue for selected guests. Freedom is important to the Irish too, as they overthrew the British government in 1916, helped by the support from Irish Americans. Happy Day to you!! And no more glasses!!!
Hi Aunt Kate. Lucky you to be in Ireland. I bet it was beautiful this time of year. I’m going to email the Ambassador because I don’t think it’s right that you were not invited to his barbeque. He should have invited all Americans who were in Dublin on the 4th and I’m gonna let him know it!!!!! Thank you for the history lesson. It sounds like everybody overthrew the British at some point in their history. And on that note….cheerio! Love, Pugsley