Red, White and Blue
On June 14, our country will celebrate Flag Day. It is the day we honor the Stars and Stripes, the Star Spangled Banner, the symbol by which the United States has become known: the flag that flies to signify all this country stands for—the freedom to be, to live, to enjoy.
The flag of our country flies over our Capitol building in Washington, the White House, every state Capitol as well as tens of thousands of government offices, schools, post offices and private businesses. It is recognized not only by every citizen of our country, but by people all over the world. There is no doubt that when anyone sees the Stars and Stripes, they know it represents the United States of America.
In war and peace, in good times and bad, our flag continues to be the rallying point for the people of our country. It inspires, it invigorates, it instills pride and it sends a strong message to anyone who threatens the freedoms of the country it represents.
Who could ever forget our armed forces raising the flag at Iwo Jima, the first responders at Ground Zero placing the flag on the fallen beams of the World Trade Center or the flags flying above the rubble left from the recent natural disasters in New Jersey and Oklahoma? Blowing in the wind and sending a loud and clear message that whenever we are down you can expect the USA to rise up bigger, better and stronger.
And then there are the fun times at sporting events such as baseball, football, hockey and basketball games when chills run down our backs as the fans cheer as our National Anthem is sung. Our flag flutters over the stadiums and the pride our people have in their country swells in everyone’s hearts.
The spirit exemplified by our flag is the same our credit unions show every day as they live the philosophy of people helping people throughout the communities they serve.
And so on June 14, I urge every credit union across this country to fly our flag outside their doors not only on that day, but 365 days a year. Let everyone who passes by see and recognize the pride we have in the United States of America and the gratitude we have for the men and women who defend the freedom for which it stands.
One Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
