Honoring Our Flag and Our Fathers: By Mary Wroblewski

The month of June hallmarks many celebrations; the end of the traditional school year, summer vacation, graduations, and weddings to name a few, but none so meaningful as Flag Day on June 14th and Father’s Day on June 15th. 

The American Flag symbolizes national unity, freedom, and patriotism; the shared identity and values of, we the people, citizens, of the United States of America.  Thirteen red and white stripes represent the original 13 British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain forming The United States of America. The white stars set on a blue background represent today, the fifty states. The colors in our flag have meaning too: red symbolizes valor, bravery and hardiness; white is the symbol of purity and innocence; blue symbolizes vigilance, perseverance and justice.  Our flag has endured, along with our country, the many wars, and upheavals, foreign and domestic; through all the blood, sweat and tears of US citizens to get to where we are today.

The American Father, can be compared to our proud flag, Old Glory.  He too shows great courage in the face of danger, and has the bravery and stamina of a super hero throughout the rigors of raising a family.  He stands ever vigilant over his family and perseveres, to the best of his ability, to always justly protect and defend the purity and innocence of his children. Working in tandem with his wife, the American father weathers all the daily minutia surrounding child rearing from infancy to adulthood, as a true partner in the process.

Many today belittle the mere idea of the nuclear family. I couldn’t disagree more.  What America needs most now, is a strong nuclear family with strong core values that include: faith, love, respect, honesty, education and open communication, and a community that promotes, protects and supports families.

Please join me Wayne County in honoring our flag, the great symbol of our freedom, on Flag Day June 14th, and all fathers and father figures on Father’s Day, June 15th.