SHREWSBURY – On a brisk cold morning, the Shrewsbury Republican Town Committee drew in a crowd of well over 100 people for a Liberty Breakfast celebrating and honoring the sacrifice of our local veterans and blue star mothers.
So many amazing people came out for the mornings events, including Gubernatorial candidates Charlie Baker, and Christy Mihos, Lt. Governor Candidate Richard Tisei, Senator Mike Moore, Rep Karyn Polito and her whole family, Sheriff Candidate, Rep Lew Evangelidis, State Auditor Candidate Mary Connaughton, and the entire Board of Selectmen. you can tell that Moira and John were the ones up for re-election this year, because they were serving the pancakes to the crowd!!!
Mindy MacKenzie Hebert and the entire SRTC leadership did an amazing job organizing the event, and getting tremendous turnout on a bitter cold day. Kudos to all of them for their non-stop work showing the world that Freedom isn’t Free.
Each year, at the Leaders of Tomorrow Candlelight Vigil on 9/11. the students read a poem called “I am the Flag,” and in honor of our veterans, I’m going to post a copy for you to read. It always makes me think….
I Am The Flag
I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom.
I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer.
I bow to no one! I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped – I am saluted. I am loved – I am revered. I am respected – and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appamatox. I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam. Okinawa, Korea and Vietnam.
I was there. I led my troops, I was dirty, battleworn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it’s by those whom I’ve served in battle-it hurts. But I shall overcome – for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. But my finest hours are yet to come. When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier, Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud. MY NAME IS OLD GLORY LONG MAY I WAVE.
