With 'gratitude,' Christian Village celebrates Flag Day and the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans

 

[June 21, 2018] 

LINCOLN 

On Thursday, June 14th, the Christian Village hosted a Flag Day celebration featuring guest speakers Hal Smith, representing United States Congressman Darin LaHood and Illinois Representative Tim Butler, special music by the CV Senior Choir, and a Flag Day message by TCV Chaplain Ryan Edgecombe. The event was held outside in the main parking lot at the village and enjoyed a nice turnout of residents as well as guests from the community.

The day began with welcoming comments by Christian Horizons Vice-president of Development Jeff Hills.

Hills welcomed guests and noted, "I want to remind us this morning that Flag Day isn’t simply about honoring a particular design on a piece of cloth. It is more about taking the time to reflect on our freedoms and the principals of our great nation for which this flag stands. Our flag is a symbol, a reminder of who we are – one nation under God.”

Hills then called upon Chaplain Edgecombe to begin the day with an invocation. Edgecombe recited a poem, actually a song lyric written and recorded by country music legend Johnny Cash.

I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench an old man was sitting there
I said, your old courthouse is kinda run down
He said, naw, it'll do for our little town
I said, your old flagpole has leaned a little bit
And that's a ragged old flag you got hanging on it

He said, have a seat, and I sat down
Is this the first time you've been to our little town?
I said, I think it is
He said, I don't like to brag
But we're kinda proud of that ragged old flag

You see, we got a little hole in that flag there when
Washington took it across the Delaware
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing say can you see
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams

And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg
And the south wind blew hard on that ragged old flag

On Flanders field in World War One
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun
She turned blood red in World War Two
She hung limp and low a time or two
She was in Korea and Vietnam
She went where she was sent by Uncle Sam

She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home
In her own good land here she's been abused
She's been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused

And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land
And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more

So we raise her up every morning
We take her down every night
We don't let her touch the ground and we fold her up right
On second thought, I do like to brag
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that ragged old flag

After Edgecombe prayed, Hills returned to the podium to recognize special guests including Smith and Butler, local elected officials with the city and county, and members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion. He offered a special recognition to the Marine Corp League, whom he said was responsible for installing the many flags that were placed around about the CV campus. Hills went on to acknowledge other guests including members of the local fire and rescue and paramedic teams. He concluded with a special recognition offered to Jeremy Welch from the Lincoln Walmart, who provided a grant through Wal-Mart so that the many flags around the campus could be purchased.

Hill went on to acknowledge residents and guests who served in the various branches of the military. He called on those having served to stand (if possible) and be recognized while the audience showed their appreciation with a round of applause.

Hal Smith was called to the podium for a special presentation.

Smith came forward greeting the guests and thanking CV resident Bill Gossett for inviting him to attend. He noted that he has an uncle who lost his life in Korea that is laid to rest near Lincoln. He said that he intended to stop and visit his uncle’s grave as he returned to Springfield later in the day.

Smith spoke about the freedom the flag represents, and the people who have fought and defended the rights of the American people, the very freedoms for which that flag stands. He noted that America is still the greatest nation, a land where everyone wants to be, a country that other nations look up to and respect.

Smith then said that on behalf of Congressman Darin LaHood, he would be presenting to the Christian Village a flag that was flown over the capital of the United States of America on May 29th of this year.

Immediately following the presentation, the American Legion Color Guard with assistance from CV resident and veteran Bill Gossett, raised that flag on a nearby flagpole. The National Anthem was performed by the TCV Senior Choir and Casey Lore of the VFW led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Butler also made a presentation. He opened by also thanking Gossett for the invitation to attend, then noted that he wanted to say “Happy 243rd Birthday” to the United States Army. He noted that he was the grandson and son of men who had served in the Army along with other relatives. He also noted a Happy 241st Flag Day, saying that it was 241 years ago that congress designated the stars and stripes as the official emblem of the United States.

After a few additional comments about the importance of the flag to our country and to himself on a personal level, he offered up a second flag presentation. The flag he presented to the CV he said he had flown at his home earlier in the day and that it had flown at the state capitol. The flag he gave to the Village was adorned with only 21 stars, signifying that Illinois was the 21st state to enter the Union in 1818.

Butler talked about the various landmarks he has visited throughout the country including Mount Rushmore. He said that all these things represented our country, our America. But, he said in all his travels the place that impresses upon him the most what our country is and what American stands for, is the view he takes in at the Tazewell and Logan County line on Interstate 155.

It is he said, “One of the most beautiful spots,” that represents his perfect image of America. Butler said that rolling landscape makes him always think about what a great country we have.

Butler said that the flag represented the freedoms that allow citizens to protest the flag, to speak out and enjoy the freedoms of assembly and much more.

The final speaker of the day was Chaplain Edgecombe.

Edgecombe opened noting that as an American people we have a lot to be grateful for. He said, “On this day 2018, let us reclaim the spirit of gratitude for our country as we proclaim all that is right about America, not ignoring her shortcomings, but choosing to delight in her accomplishments.”

He said that it is easy to criticize and find fault, but our reality is that we live in a land of prosperity, often taken for granted. He accented this saying, “I’ve seen real poverty, I’ve been to the other side of the globe where there are dirt floors and thatch roofs, no electricity, no running water, no medical care, no schooling, no money, and no way to earn it. Here in the United States if our internet’s not working for 10 minutes, we get a little upset. We’re blessed beyond measure and in many cases we don’t recognize it.”

Edgecombe went on to say, “I’m grateful for our flag today as well, for this is a flag that has brought opportunity. America is still the land of opportunity. My sister-in-law was born and raised in China. Where did she want to go for her education? Where did she want to go to carve out a life for herself?”

He spoke about her success as an architect and teacher and the many places she has taught and worked throughout the United States. He then asked, “Would she have had the same opportunity to advance and succeed in China? You know that she would not have.”

“I’m grateful for our flag today for this is a flag that has brought freedom,” he said. “My little speech here today was not censored. I did not get any government directives on what I should say or can’t say. I don’t have enough time today to talk about everything our bill of rights has afforded us, but as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, may I say that I am thankful to my country and thankful to God that I have freedom to worship according to the dictates of my own conscience.

“I am grateful for our flag today, for this is the flag that stands for sacrificial love. We have many veterans here today and I see men and women who in their youth put their own wants and goals and aspirations on the back burner, and they served. They served for a greater cause. The price of our prosperity, opportunity and freedom is great, and our veterans have given much and some have given all they had to give. They have fought and kept the promise of America and we are grateful for their service, and their continued example of sacrificial service and redeeming love that we see in our veterans.”

Edgecombe closed his comments with, “We have a lot to be thankful for today and I hope we see it. And if we don’t see it, I honestly believe in the words of my father J. Arthur Edgecombe that we need an attitude adjustment! May our nation give praise and glory and honor to God Almighty, Amen.”

The service was brought to a close with final thank you notes delivered by Hills, and the performance of God Bless American by the TCV Senior choir.

Following the service, guests were invited to enjoy refreshments and spend time in fellowship with the special guests, residents, CV staff, and others in attendance.

[Nila Smith & Mitch Douglas]