The flag of the United States has flown on the earth and the moon, on the home front and the battlefront, in conflict and in peace. Something stirs within us when we see this red, white, and blue “emblem of the land [we] love, the home of the free and the brave.” 1
For many of us, that stirring is especially deep when we remember those who have died defending what that flag represents. As one unknown patriot wrote, “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” Today we honor the heroic men and women throughout history who have defended our nation. Without their sacrifice, the flag would be little more than a colorful piece of fabric. Because of their sacrifice, the flag continues to proclaim to all the world the principles of freedom, equality, liberty, and justice for all.
Of course, we all know that no nation is perfect. And yet our love and respect for our country seems to deepen as we work to overcome our shortcomings and mistakes, past and present. What makes any country great is the principles of its founding, its boundless potential, and its constant striving to live up to both.
The same is true of each of us. After all, a country is made up of individuals—all less than perfect and all with great potential. In a sense, each of us is, like our beloved flag, an emblem of this land we love. Our country is only as strong as each individual who serves and sacrifices for its core institutions: for the home and the family, for neighborhoods and communities, for church and state.
And so this Memorial Day, when we see the flag of freedom wave, let us remember what it represents—not just a land but a people. It waves for the sons and daughters who gave their all. It waves for the promise of liberty they died to protect. It waves for every patriot who has made this country the land we love. We honor their memories, this day and always.
1 George M. Cohan, “You’re a Grand Old Flag” (1906).
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May 24, 2020
Broadcast Number 4,732
The Tabernacle Choir
Orchestra at Temple Square
Conductor
Mack Wilberg
Organist
Richard Elliott
Host
Lloyd Newell
The Star-Spangled Banner
John Stafford Smith; arr. Frank Asper
Because of the Brave
Lowell Alexander & Steve Amerson; arr. Bob Krogstad
America the Beautiful
Samuel A. Ward; arr. Michael Davis
The Washington Post
John Philip Sousa; arr. Joseph Linger
This Is My Country
Al Jacobs; arr. Michael Davis
The Pledge of Allegiance
Charles Osgood; arr. Michael Davis
On This Day
Charles Strouse; arr. Mac Huff
A Tribute to the Armed Services
Medley arr. Lloyd Larson