Through the pain...

A couple of months ago, I was at an Eagle Project. The project was informing the public about the American Flag, the respect it demands and how to properly retire a flag.

Midway through a speech being made by a retired marine, the flag caught a gust of wind and blew over. I rushed to pick it up and held it firm in my hand for the next 30 minutes. My arm started to hurt but I kept the hand on the flag and kept sitting up tall. I felt so much pride and love and respect for our flag.

I know that most people aren't like this. I don't let it bug me, but I do take pride in knowing I treat the american flag with as much respect and sacredness as I do other things given to me by God.

I worked through the pain for my country. For the red white and blue. 

My first year of Williamsburg Academy we did a very emotionally engaged activity. Mr. Ure had us each stare at the face of a single classmate, then close our eyes and envision that student in 15 years. 

We did this over a few different 2-3 hour classes. The end of the school year came before I had been put in the hot seat. I was, in all honesty, very bummed. I wanted to know what my classmates thought of me.

At Elevation, the next week, around the campfire, James had the students conduct the activity for me. It felt like a million eyes were piercing my soul.

The only responses I remember came from 3 boys. Andrew McClain, Spencer Koyle and another boy. I can't remember which one it was. 

They all agreed that when they closed their eyes, they saw me running across a battlefield leading soldiers into war. I was honestly shocked.

I didn't talk about the military back then. Didn't think about it. So for these boys to say that was very odd.

I remember listening to the girls but can't remember their words. I remember "being a father" was said. 

But since that night, the image of me in a WWII era helmet, running into battle with other american young men hasn't left my mind. I take pride that they would see that in me.

The older I get, the more I love this country. It is truly God's country and I want to lead, defend, and embrace it. 

I cannot think of a way I would rather die than for my country… I will fight through the pain, just like I did with the flag, because God gave us the red white and blue and we owe it to Him, to stay with it until the end.