Letters to the Editor: Mighty proud of Gallatin and USA

Corny as it may sound to some, I’m an American, and I’m fiercely proud of this nation every day that the sun comes up.

But I have never felt prouder than I did today (Monday, April 11) as I stood shoulder to shoulder with about 100 fellow citizens in tribute as the 548th Transportation Co., Missouri National Guard, of Trenton passed by on Highway 6 … headed for war zone duty.

For those who missed it, the event was an impromptu send-off for the 548th’s citizen-soldiers as they were leaving for a long deployment in Afghanistan. The local Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Auxiliary were on hand with a color guard, and with a host of American flags of all sizes. Passers-by stopped their cars and were handed small flags to wave. Little kids held signs and waved. It was fantastic.

I wasn’t planning on being there. I didn’t even know it was going to happen. I had an errand at the feed mill out east of town, and just chanced into being there. I am so glad I did; I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

For three minutes as a caravan of buses, autos and motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard passed by the junction of Hwys. 6 and 13, it was Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day and Fourth of July, all rolled into one. The feeling of patriotism was palpable. Even through the tinted glass, you could see Guardsmen waving back at the flag-waving crowd.

I’m sure the Guardsmen and women on those buses appreciated this grassroots show of support, even though many of them have been down this road before; this is the outfit’s second tour over there, I was told. They deserve any and all support we can give them.

But blessed as they might have felt, I felt doubly blessed just to live in a place where folks will drop what they’re doing and salute our military in such an unabashed, Star-Spangled-Banner kind of way.

Amazing and humbling! And restorative to the soul.

Often, on ordinary days, I get angry and depressed when I read and see the national news, to see how disrespected and unappreciated America seems to have become. And how seemingly weak and ineffective.

I worry sometimes that we might be witnessing the sunset years of our great Republic.

But when I see a grizzled old veteran wearing his VFW “envelope” cap, standing at attention as he holds a faded flag in salute of young soldiers headed off to war, faith is restored.

This is still a great nation. With God’s help, America will remain so forever … as long as we have young people willing to march into harm’s way to defend her. And as long as we have people like those who gathered Monday on the side of a road to cheer them on… and pray them Godspeed.

Thanks for granting me space in your fine paper.

A patriot,

Scott L. Gordon,
rural Gallatin