A group of 30 men are walking in formation; some in fatigues, some in camo, some in shorts and tee shirts. All are carrying a flag. They are laughing among themselves. I honk and wave as I drive by. They wave and yell.
I park my car and begin my run.
In a few hours a Freedom Parade would be rolling through town. A parade of nothing more than people driving their cars boasting their pride of our nation.
As my miles clicked by, more cars and trucks drive by with American flags flying in the wind.
Hot rods and daily drivers.
Farm trucks and show trucks.
Motorcycles and scooters.
Old, young, black and white.
Republican and Democrat.
Today isn't about policy or change or politics.
Today is about celebrating the freedoms we have no matter what our opinions.
I pause to take this picture.
A tattered Old Glory flying high above the cars gathering below.
Running back to my car, I think about that flag.
Her frayed edges show her wear as if she feels the turbulence of the current times.
One can see Lady Liberty take a haggard breath.
Yet the flag still flies.
Today, maybe now more than ever, we celebrate the flag and for all it stands.
Freedom. Strength. Courage.
The edges may be frayed, but we the people, will take our bruised and battled hands and raise you.
We the people, will always fly you.
