Friday was Veterans Day and communities across the nation celebrated. Ours did; yours probably did too.

In Clarion, ours is held at the high school and organized by the local VFW members. Lots of school kids also participate; each adding to the event. Veterans attend as well as community members.

Our guest speaker, Mark Thompson, talked about 'Patriotism', recently returning here to his hometown area after a number of years; first as a career Marine and then the same amount of years in the U.S. State Department. He recounted some of his experiences with his military mates.

One of the last paragraphs of his speech addressed some of the issues currently being experienced in our nation:

"Finally, I want to take the opportunity to address one more issue. Respect for our flag. There has been considerable publicity given to public figures who chose to show disrespect for our flag, and more important what it stands for. Our flag represents all those things I just spoke about, and more. Respect for our flag does not mean we ignore those times when our nation has not lived up to our ideals----the flag represents those ideals-----those aspirations. Respect for our flag is recognition that we must continue to strive to make ourselves, as well as our country better, through our words as well as our actions. Just as we as individuals must strive to become better versions of ourselves, we owe the same to our nation and its flag. When the flag is disrespected, those who have sacrificed to make it better and to protect others, are disrespected. Again, when we stand for our national anthem, when we place our hand over our heart, it is much more than tradition---it represents a small or large portion of our life making what that flag stands for--better."

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There were two times in the event when those in attendance gave presenters a standing ovation:  after Thompson's speech and during the song "God Bless The U.S.A.", sung by school vocal instructor David Ackerman. Usually it takes a handful of people to begin the standing ovations. This was no exception:  first ovation began with a small group of high school chorus members on one side of the gym standing and the second was with another small group within the high school band, getting the room on its feet.

The kids get it and we got to experience it!

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GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

By Lee Greenwood

"If tomorrow all the things were gone, I worked for all my life.

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.

I thank my lucky stars to be living here today.

'Cause the flag still stand for freedom and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt, I love this land.

God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston, and New York to L.A.

Where's pride in every American heart, and it's time to stand and say,

That I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land.

God Bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.

And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend Her still today.

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land.

God Bless the U.S.A.

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