L. M. O'NEAL

ESSAY 

IT STANDS
By
L. M. O'NEAL
In twilight of dawn, an American flag responds to a gentle morning breeze. Fifty stars evenly and equally placed on a field of dark blue, precede and stand above stripes of red and white. All prominent, powerful and proper in their placement and representation, yet for the country it represents, something is wrong, and much is missing. In brightness of daylight, our flag has stood offering itself as a symbol of hope, promise and refuge for all Americans, and the world. In the fading light of evening when people have both slowed their active day or begin it anew; it has stood. In the latest of nights and the darkest of hours for the minds, bodies and souls of the individuals in this great country, and around the world; it stood. When prayer and hope was all that remained, far out distancing all indignities, insults, illegalities, and betrayals, many of us have turned to look upward seeking the grace, forgiveness, and assurance of GOD first. Secondly, seeking the comfort and determination found in recognition and identifying with "OLD GLORY" as it stands a symbol and beacon for freedom and liberty; to be seen and admired or cursed by any and all; it stands. Through bullets and bombs, attacks abroad and domestic, social upheavals and political betrayals, it continues to wave and bellow with the winds of time and say to us all, GOD AND I are still here with you.

Suspended upon a pole and secure by rope, wire, or by any other means, hangs the flag of our country. Plastered to wall plaques, bumper stickers, fronts and rears of vehicles, T-shirts, underwear, in places and ways to numerous to name, it still stands representing freedom and independence. Waving quietly, but boldly through battles of blood, battles of hope, battles for dreams, it now stands in defiance of tyranny and corruption occurring within our own borders.

But, what does this flag representing The United States of America really mean? Ask this question to any person in the world, and you will receive many different answers. Answers from their hearts ranging from extreme raging hatred up to and through a tearful pleading hope for access into this; the greatest country in the world.

It represents the determination of the rejected, and casting away of peoples from different countries in the inception of this nation. It represents the bravery and determination to conquer an entire mass of land and bring it under one control, while allowing for the liberty and growth of the individual. It represents independence and proof of the power of that independence through the creativity of the individual, when un-stifled by governmental interferences. It represents the true nature of a good people through the fair and equal applications of justice for all, and not restricted and conditionalized by the amount and value of ones self and property. It represents the power of believing in the divinity of GOD THE ALMIGHTY, and an understanding by the majority that GOD is in all things and all things are within GOD. It represents an understanding that, true royalty is within every man, woman, and child, and not in a title or class bestowed on a person, family or group, by mere mortals. It represents the GOD given right to be right, or to be wrong, and to face the consequences of being wrong, or receiving the benefits of being right. It represents the power and rightness of a constitution freeing the people to be themselves, with limited restrictions, and limiting the actions and authority of the Federal Government to interject its will onto the people by usurping the authority of the individual states.

All that is good, just, fair, and honest, represented by our flag is today, under attack. Outside and inside our borders are religions, nations, and people using our constitution, our governments, and our laws to undermine and destroy our country. They individually, and as a group are attacking the very country with a constitution and bill of rights allowing its citizens the right to object too the actions and laws imposed on its citizens; and to do so openly.

They are trying to change that openness of the government guaranteed by our constitution, into a system that is close to, and away from the eyes and will of its people. This style of government makes the populous subject to the will of a few people in positions of power within the government, with attitudes approved by the government and affiliations in agreement with the government. Following this line of thought and action, the free people of this nation will quickly find themselves in service to the government, rather than the government in service to the people.

The flag of the United States, has flown for our country while its government and citizens engage in evil and despicable acts. Acts sponsored and sanctioned by people motivated to their own self interest, and personal gain. Practicing and imposing slavery on people of color and those they wished to silence; piracies of all kinds and in all manners upon any people or persons, and a host of other physical atrocities. And yet "Old Glory" continues to elicit The Pledge of Allegiance.

After all that has been done in the United States to its own citizens, by its citizens and government, what would give a depressed, or suppressed, and even the deprived a desire to look up at the flag of the United States? Because those of us who understand and believe, know what the flag means. We know it is the symbol of hope and promise. We appreciate the lives that have been given for this great country's existence. We know The United States of America is the last refuge for Hope, Liberty, and Freedom. Is this country a utopia on earth? No it is not. But, beyond the flags which hang from flag poles, is The One and Only GOD ALMIGHTY. And as long as we keep our eyes looking upward; through the flag and to our Lord God, we will always have hope for a better tomorrow. Utopia that is a land of fiction, fantasy, and make-believe, but if any land on this earth were to be considered such a place it would be THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAN.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.