November 27, 2019

This morning, as usual, I get my coffee and sit on my front porch to read the news. The first thing I see is football players kneeling during the National Anthem. Folks, my head nearly exploded. I knew they did this last year and I knew they would probably do it again this year. I spent all week reading stories such as one school will opt out of citing the Pledge of Allegiance and allow the children to chant. This same school is working on coming up with a school pledge for the children to recite.

When I was in high school, I heard of a story that is ever so relevant to this day and time. It is titled The Man Without a Country. The story was written by Edward Everett Hale, which showed up in The Atlantic in December of 1883. It tells the story of Philip Nolan, who served in the American Army as a lieutenant. Mr. Nolan had been charged with treason, and during his trial, he wished he had never heard of this country. The judge granted his wish, and Nolan was sentenced to live the rest of his life aboard ships, never again to see or hear about America. Philip Nolan spent the next 50 years moving from ship to ship, totally blacked out from news or pictures of America. The story ends with a surprise and one I would like to share but will re-frame from doing so in the hopes you will read it for yourself. Of course, the story is fiction and was written to build support and patriotism for the United States during a dark period in our history.

I can not help to think; the punishment of Philip Nolan would be ever so fitting for the ones who live in our country, benefiting from all that it offers but burns, walk on and spit on our beautiful flag and kneels during or National Anthem. My opinion is, these actions are not forms of free speech or one protesting what they see as some injustice. It is one who hates America, one who hates what America stands for and one who is renouncing their citizenship. Are these actions not the betrayal of one’s country? I say yes they are and treasonous. Because these actions are viewed as free speech, these people will continue to do as they do and look for other shocking ways to disrespect our country.

If these people, the few who think this country is so bad, why not renounce your citizenship? I dare you to do so. Why would you want to be associated with such a country? The reason they will not renounce is that they know no other country would put up with their stupidity.

"And for your country, boy," and the words rattled in his throat, "and for that flag," and he pointed to the ship, "never dream a dream but of serving her as she bids you, though the service carry you through a thousand hells. No matter what happens to you, no matter who flatters you or who abuses you, never look at another flag, never let a night pass but you pray God to bless that flag. Remember, boy, that behind all these men you have to do with, behind officers, and government, and people even, there is the Country Herself, your Country, and that you belong to Her as you belong to your own mother. Stand by Her, boy, as you would stand by your mother, if those devils there had got hold of her to-day!"

~Edward Everett Hale~ The Man Without a Country