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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.
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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] |
