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My Flag, My Country, My United States

When I was a little girl, there was school, and every day we said the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.  In home room, we put our hands over our heart and we said “One Nation Under God”.

Today? It’s a different story.  Some do not want to stand and appreciate the Flag of the United States or hear the Star Spangled Banner being sung or honor our flag that represents our country. Some take the flag and they burn it, they protest to everything except what it stands for.  What does it stand for?  To me, it’s the reminder of the blood shed by those who choose to put on the uniform and march into war to protect the freedom here at home.  To allow the things we take for granted and enjoy here in the United States, to have the freedom to go where we wish and to say what we feel.

Every day, I am thankful for what sacrifices have been made so that I can worship my faith and God as I can.  To those of the military who come back wounded, disfigured, to those who do not come back or have been left in pieces and for those many white crosses that represent one soldier who gave his or her life, I salute you and I say thank you.

God knows all things and I would like to think that the Scripture John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend; is a ticket straight to Heaven.

Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
LYNN is Retired from Law Enforcement as a Police Officer, with a background in nursing and previously a member of the Search and Rescue Team with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, A retired member of the Orange Police Department, she became the first female SWAT member on an elite team while becoming a member of the Olympic Shooting Team during the early years on the department. A mother and a grandmother, a devout Catholic who currently resides in Houston, Texas. Her hobbies include writing, painting, and a contemplative prayer life. She is in love with her faith, but the love she carries for her two grown children and grandchildren who rest in her heart surpasses everything except her faith in God. Since retirement, Lynn has done private investigation, worked as a gang counselor with middle schools, A member of Bl. Mother Teresa’s Order called the (Lay Missionaries of Charity), she is also a pro-life advocate, often called upon to give testimony and speak to youth groups, as well as adult forums. She has published a children’s book entitled “The Children’s Garden” and is currently working on two additional children’s books. She is currently working on the major one focused on her experience in Law Enforcement entitled “Heels and a Badge”. (copyright). Her paintings and sketches, writings, can be viewed on her Pinterest boards (click on the Pinterest ICON below). Her dream is to one-day write a movie for Hallmark. Dreams do come true … See Lynn’s entire collection of thought-provoking Articles by clicking on her byline. Lynn is a contributing author to the inspiring book Chaos to Clarity: Sacred Stories of Transformational Change.

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10 CONVERSATIONS

  1. Thank you for writing this wonderful article. So many take the sacrifices made by our warriors and their families for granted, but shouldn’t. We have so much to be thankful for – so many blessings. Perhaps one of the blessings we should be most thankful for is that we are still a free people because of our warriors and should always remember freedom is not free. Gratitude and respect is due to those who have given so much so we can remain free – those who are serving today, those who have been injured and for those who have given all. We owe them a debt we can never repay.

    Stand for the flag, recite the pledge of allegiance with pride, honor God and country – That’s America at it’s finest from my perspective.

  2. So beautifully written from your heart, with heart. I thank God every day for people in the military who give up many of their freedoms. Civilians don’t realize this.

    I totally agree with you, “Every day, I am thankful for what sacrifices have been made so that I can worship my faith and God as I can.”

  3. Lynn, as a Special Forces-Green Beret army brat born and raised in Europe, only returning to the United States for the first time to go to college, We The Brats said the Pledge of Allegiance with such pride. Yes, it is different today, because those reaping the benefits of living in this country, where you are innocent until proven guilty, and who burn, deface and disrespect our country and it’s flag, have abused the freedom for which the flag stands as One Nation Under God. Great Article. It really resonated with me.

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