LifeTIMES
A monthly ministry of Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Maple Grove, Minnesota
July 2014
With a Memorial Day weekend ceremony in Lord of Life’s backyard, member Jason Chisato-Rodvik (at podium above) completed his Eagle Scout project. It was an important event not only for Jason, but also for his troop, his church, the Hamel Legion, and the community—
Whose Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
A
merican flags fly proudly in wind, rain, snow, and hot sun. But what do you do if the flag has become worn, torn, faded, or badly soiled? As citizens, it is our honor and duty to love and respect the flag, and proper disposal of the stars and stripes is what this Eagle Scout ceremony was all about. Jason Chisato-Rodvik explained, “The U. S. flag is more than just some brightly colored cloth… it is a symbol of our nation. Seven red stripes and six white stripes; together they represent the original 13 colonies that gained us liberty. The red stripes remind us of the lifeblood of brave men and women who were ready to die for this, their country. The white stripes remind us of purity and cleanliness of purpose, thought, word, and deed. The blue is for truth and justice, like the eternal blue of the star-filled heavens. The stars represent the 50 sovereign states of our union. The U.S. flag should be treated with respect when it’s flying, and it should be treated with respect when it’s being retired.” Raised in the late 1990s in Franklin, Minnesota, the first old glory retired in this ceremony was Jason’s grandfather Marvin Rodvik’s flag. Jason recalls, “In addition to being a World War II veteran, my grandfather was a man of many things: a clocksmith and enthusiast, funny guy, historian, choir conductor, husband, father, and to me…the best grandfather I could have ever had. This is his flag.” With honor and dignity and silence from the audience, Jason began the protocol for retiring his grandfather’s flag with scissors in hand. He said, “A flag ceases to be a flag when it is cut into pieces. We leave the blue field canton intact because no one should ever let the union be broken.” Stripes are stripped apart then brought into the fire. When you can no longer see the white —continues on Page 9
July 2014 “For me to live is Christ” Philippians 1:21a