By Jim Daly

Every year the Veterans of Foreign Wars has an essay scholarship program. A couple of years ago the topic for high school aged kids was: How the American Flag Makes Me Feel.

I would like to tell you how it makes me feel in honor of Flag Day, June 14th.

Years ago, while I was in the Marine Corps, I used to tell people that the day the flag and the National Anthem did not make me cry, I would retire. Well, I retired 27 years ago, and it still makes me cry. I am proud, humbled, and comforted by the American flag.

I am proud of the country that flag represents. Having been to 27 countries in the world, I believe that America is the greatest country in the world.

America is a world leader in politics, in research and development, in economic power, and in freedoms, and has been for more than a century. Democracy and the systems that support our government are envied by the world. Whenever a government fails, democracy in some form or function seems to take its place.

Many of the world’s new developments in medicine, electronics, mechanics, computers, art, and science are developed in the U.S. Among the industry innovators are Grays Harbor’s own: Dr. Douglas Osheroff, a physicist known for his work in experimental condensed matter physics who shared the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physics; Dr. George Hitchings, who shared the 1988 Nobel Prize in Medicine for developing medicines to treat leukemia, herpes, and arthritis; Don Baker, the inventor and developer of medical ultrasound devices; Jeff Burlingame, award-winning author of over 30 books; Alexander Calder, considered the most innovative sculptor of the 20th Century; Kurt Cobain, songwriter and lead singer for the musical group Nirvana; William Boeing, the founder of Boeing Aircraft Corp.; and so many others.

There is no country in the world that spends nearly as much per year ($511 billion, or more than $1,500 per capita in 2016) on research and development which shows in our way of life. And according to the World Bank, China is our only competitor in economic power with the U.S. having 36% of the world economy and China 3.5% in 1970, U.S. 31% and China 4.5% in 2000, and the U.S. 26% and China 15% in 2015.

I am also proud of the many freedoms we take for granted that are only dreamed of by the citizens in many other countries around the world. Freedom to vote, own property, to travel, and to worship as desired. These freedoms and many others are why so many people are willing to risk jail and personal safety to come to the United States.

There is much to be proud of America!

I am humbled by the contributions to our economy and society by the likes of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffet, Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Paige, and Charles Koch who developed new businesses or industries in America and the world.

I am amazed by America’s philanthropists who do so much good in our country, such as: Chuck Feeney with lifetime giving of $7.5 billion which is 373% of his current net worth of $20 million; or Jon Huntsman Sr. with lifetime giving of $1.55 billion or 160% of his current net worth; or W. Barron Hilton with lifetime giving of $1.3 billion or 137% of his current net worth; and Gordon Moore who’s lifetime giving is $5.37 billion or 71% of current net worth, according to Forbes Magazine.

And I have the greatest respect for those Americans who serve the rest of us as firefighters, law enforcement officers, military, teachers, pastors, doctors and the many others whose work, dedication, and service makes our society livable.

I am often moved to tears by the stories of sacrifice by the military men and women who serve our country — heros who lost their lives or gave pieces of their body for their comrades and country, such as these recent Medal of Honor recipients:

SP-5 Ty Carter, USA — Afghanistan – For repeatedly risking his life under enemy fire during the Battle of Kamdesh: administering life-extending first aid to wounded comrades, obtaining ammunition for the firefight, and helping carry wounded to an aid station.

PO-2 Michael A. Monsoor, USN — Iraq – Saved the lives of his fellow SEALs at his sniper position by diving on a grenade.

Cpl. Jason Dunham, USMC — Iraq – Fought hand-to-hand with the enemy and hurled himself on a grenade to protect fellow Marines.

TSgt. John A. Chapman, USAF — Afghanistan – Engaged two enemy bunkers during the Battle of Takur Ghar, enabling a pinned down rescue team to move to cover and break enemy contact. Inadvertently, left behind after being knocked unconscious, he was later killed while providing covering fire for an arriving quick reaction force.

SSg. Travis Atkins, USA — Iraq – Fought hand-to-hand with a suicide bomber and used his body to shield fellow soldiers from the subsequent bomb blast.

Cpl. Dakota Meyer, USMC — Afghanistan – Defied an order from superiors and rescued 23 Afghan Allies and 13 Americans in the Battle of Ganjgal.

I am encouraged by the young people in this country. Those that take on those responsibilities of the military, law enforcement, medicine, teaching, etc. as a career. There are many school kids who work hard and excel in school, that participate in Scouts, that compete in Patriotic Scholarship Essay programs by Veterans organizations, that serve their schools and communities, and give their time and energy for many different projects and programs.

It was a year ago, I was brought to tears when I heard the students of J.M. Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen standing and singing our National Anthem before the start of a football game. To know that our youth respect and honor our flag and country is reassuring and comforting.

How does the American Flag Make Me Feel? — I am comforted by the American flag because it is a sign of freedom that means something to Americans and many others around the world whom envy us. I am humbled by the American flag because teachers, investors, business men, first responders, doctors, students, scientists, military men and women, philanthropists, and many others give of themselves to make America all that the flag stands for. I am proud of the American flag because it represents all us Americans, and the country we have built, to all who see it.

So, How does the American Flag Make You Feel?

Please Remember: Many of our young men and women have sacrificed greatly around the world, to protect our country, our rights and freedoms, our allies, and the flag of the United States of America. I am proud to have been one of them, and would gladly defend this great country again today or any day.

Jim Daly, a retired captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a member of the Aberdeen Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 224 and its Veterans Service Officer. He is also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America.