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"Joining Hands To Touch Lives-Fraternalism for the Family and Our Nation'
ViSTNiK Official Publication Of The Slavonic Benevolent Order of the State of Texas, Founded 1897 BROTHERHOOD
HUMANITY
BENEVOLENCE
Postmaster: Please Send Form 3579 to: SPJST Home Office, P. 0. Box 100, Temple, Texas 76503 ISSN-07458800 VOLUME 86 NUMBER 23
June 10, 1998
United States observes Flag Day Sunday, June 14 Be humble enough to know where your glory and greatness come from.
The Flag Speaks I
the American Flag fcould speak,
"Old Glory," I'm called. What is my glory? My glory is the freedom that I give to every law-respecting man, woman and child.
I think this is what it might say: I am your Flag, and I am proud to be your Flag. Together we live in the greatest nation in the world.
I live in the hearts of all people who yearn for freedom to laugh, to love, to pray, to play, to marry and have children.
A free nation where I can fly freely in the breeze outside your home, on the street, in your schools and courthouses ... I am not just a piece of brightly colored cloth, I am a symbol that represents something great. My red stripes indicate hardiness and courage. My white is a symbol of purity and innocence. The blue color is vigilance, perseverance, and justice. I was in the hand of my first President in the blood and snow of Valley Forge. I was there when my nation was born—small, with a wilderness at her back and seas at her sides, and not one friendly neighbor to whom she, as a struggling infant orphan, could call for help in distress. I saw that child survive and grow strong. Most forget, but I still see in my memory those bright and brave young men and women who died at Pearl Harbor, Normandy, Coral Sea, Asian Jungles, throughout Europe, Korea and Vietnam. And when they died for me, I wrapped them in my love and draped my honor over their caskets.
I have called out to countries, "Come to my shores and my side, all who are tired, poor, oppressed, and yearning to breathe free. Come and I will be your guarantee of liberty."
Americans pay tribute to "Old Glory" on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14. Yes, I must speak because their voices have been silenced forever. I fly proudly over their green graves, praying that wars might end forever. Never forgetting them, I rise every morning to watch over the graves of our finest, whose years were short but whose service was longer than we can ever measure. I, the American Flag, have lived long, traveled far and endured much. A million lives and more were sacrificed to give me the right to speak . . I am proud of my people's gifts to the world. For more than 200 years I have been packed in the trunks and suitcases of clergymen, doctors and educators. Together we traveled to
And now, here's a salute" to Dad ... I know you, Dad . . You don't wear your feelings around on the outside for everyone to see. You don't feel you have to talk a lot to be heard . . You sometimes like to keep things to yourself. But you never fooled me, even once. Even though we hardly ever talked about feelings in so many words, I always knew how much you cared. I knew it in a million ways, but a million and one little things you did to let it show.
And somehow I've always known that beneath that tough exterior was the most special, loving and, caring father in the world ... So thanks for being just the way you are ... You'll never know
how much it means to have you for a father. And even though we don't often talk about feelings in so many words, I love you -- I always will.
Happy Father's Day! (Thanks to Brother George Pauling, President of Lodge 66, Waco, for sharing this heartfelt sentiment which he received from his son . . . Share it, while you can, with someone you love.) —SPJST-
Africa, China, India, Japan and all parts of the earth to share the good life we enjoy in America. Americans, be proud of our country! No country knows greater freedom than our country. You can climb any mountain! Possibilities? They're unlimited— except as you limit them with a cynical, bitter, negative attitude! Yes, when you see me in church, school or flying on the streets— listen to my stars and stripes as I cry out to every boy and girl, every man and woman: "Dream Your Dreams"— "Dare To Believe"— "You Can Make It In America." I am the American Flag.
I say to my people, "Be proud, be humble, and last, be renewed .. .!" If you get a lump in your throat when you hear the "Star-Spangled Banner," or break out in cold chill with goose pimples when I pass by waving freely, or tears shade your eyes when you sing "God Bless America," never think you are getting sentimental or weak: no, that is a sign of being strong, loyal, and dedicated to a cause, a principle—"one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all . ..".
—Donald B Carrick (Editor's Note: Please see the special center section in this week's Vestnik, "The Flag and Flag Etiquette.")
—SPJST-
Family Fun and Important SPJST Dates June 10 June 12 June 13 June 14 June 14 June 14 June 14 June 20 June 21 July 4 July 4 July 11 August 3 November 1
Cookout for Lodge 32, Victoria Members, DuPont Park SPJST Home Office Flag Ceremony District Two Swim Social at BLORA Flag Day District Two Presents An Evening of Classical Czech Music at the Temple Cultural Activities Center Lodge 40, El Campo - Hillje Family Day Lodge 63, Sweet Home Family Day Lodge 155, Austin Annual Picnic Fathers' Day Independence Day 100th Anniversary Celebration at Lodge 49, Rowena Tarok Tournament, hosted by Lodge 17, New Tabor Deadline to post your major lodge events on the 1999 SPJST Calendar District Seven Fall Meeting, hosted by Lodge 202, Jourdanton —SPJST-