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The following is a Counterpoint.

By Lisa MacDonell

I read an article in the August issue of the American Legion magazine that Belgian schoolchildren spend a good part of each year learning to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in English in order to participate in the Memorial Day ceremony at Flanders Field American Cemetery, where 368 U.S. soldiers were laid to rest after a battle more than 90 years ago.

And in northwestern France, nothing compares to the annual array of ceremonies recognizing the 1944 D-Day invasion. They dress in authentic U.S. uniforms bearing insignia of U.S. military units. They present wreaths and prayers and salute the fallen. U.S. flags fly high in parades, concerts and battle reenactments honoring our troops who fought there 65 years ago.

At an American flag retirement ceremony on Memorial Day this year here in Greensboro, where old, ragged or faded flags were being disposed of with ceremony and dignity, a Boy Scout troop was invited to participate.

When we sang “God Bless America” and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” I was saddened to see the Boy Scouts hardly sang. It appeared they didn’t know the words. At baseball games, I see men not removing head-coverings, even though asked to, and others who continue to talk during the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” At the Fourth of July celebration at Grimsley High School’s Jamieson Stadium, the person who sang the national anthem did not remove his cowboy hat.

Even more unbelievable, we have to debate with school officials to start school days with the Pledge of Allegiance or national anthem.
As moms, dads, grandparents and teachers, are we doing enough to impart the truth that our freedom has not come free and its longevity has no guarantee?

Will it be too late when we finally realize that, as Americans, our freedom did not fall out of the sky? It was, and still is, hard-fought-for and casualty-ridden. You already know. Wake up and pass along your appreciation for freedom.

The writer lives in Greensboro.