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THE HOME OF THE BRAVE
Our national anthem ends with the words…
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave…
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
When I was young I thought the brave meant only the men and women
who fought to keep us free…
but over the years I’ve come to see their are many sides to bravery.
Certainly soldiers… our respect and admiration they have earned
for their bravery on the battlefield
and for facing the demons of war that remain with them after they return.
But when I look around…I wish we’d find a way
to honor the non-soldiers out there who exhibit bravery every day…
People who need to be brave in the world the way we have created it to be:
The single parent working two jobs to provide for their family.
The people battling ALS, Alzheimer’s, cancer, MS, depression
and the family members taking care of them…standing by their side.
knowing there is nothing they can do as they watch their loved ones slide.
The farmers losing their farms…the people losing their jobs…their ability to earn
Those out there without health care…or insurance…with no place they can turn.
Native Nations people trying to hold on to their culture and their history.
People of color who every day brave the uncertainty
of those prejudiced against them…in our society.
Immigrants or people who look like immigrants…
some of the nicest people you could meet…
wondering if today’s the day they will be arrested…pulled off of of our streets.
LGBTQ+ people who brave the abuse of ignorance
and still proudly show the world who they are.
I’m sure I have missed some of you…but…you know who you are.
To all the soldiers past and present…thank you…I’m glad you were and are so brave.
Your bravery has allowed our star-spangled banner to wave…
And to all the others mentioned…you wouldn’t have a need for bravery…
If we were a country that helped each other…
If we were truly the land of the free.
