230 and Counting-
July 4, 2006

We were recently in New York City and had the chance to stop at the World Trade Center site for the first time since 9/11. I will have more to say about all that on that anniversary in September. But I took some pictures of flags and flag-based images and post them today as we celebrate the 230th birthday of the United States. The flag- the good, old red, white, and blue- is quite a symbol. Perhaps it's the mix of colors with the starfield and the alternating bars or something, but it is truly a moving sight.

It is the symbol of our nation. It reminds us of our unity and history- 50 stars for the states; thirteen bars for the 13 original colonies who took such a chance to proclaim independence from THE Super Power of the day- England. They were a brave, cocky, probably over-confident crowd. But that's what it takes to make a revolution.

Reading David McCullough's books, John Adams and 1776, and Joseph Ellis's Founding Brothers, the past few years has given me a whole new perspective on the struggles, disagreements, even downright hatreds that were underlying that group. But they compromised (sometimes too much?) but kept the dream alive and moved forward into this great nation.

Today I pray that our nation will continue to have that kind of ability to talk, disagree, and compromise. But, like the Founding Fathers, we must not forget that we are a nation of liberty and freedom. On that we cannot, we must not compromise.

Happy birthday, USA. And Many, Many More!

Above left: Part of photo collage on streetlight base across from World Trade Center.
Above right: Flag at World Trade Center reflected in the windows across the street.
Both: June, 2006. pmPilgrim