Patriotism

Today we went to the Dodge City VFW for dinner.  They were honoring winners of the essay contest.  My daughter Hannah brought home second place!  Her friend Maddie took first and her friend Amber took third in the Junior High division.  They were to write an essay of no more than 400 words on "What Patriotism Means to Me".  What follows is what she wrote.


Patriotism.  What does it mean to have great patriotism?  Patriotism means the love of your country and the willingness to sacrifice for it.  But yet, what are we supposed to sacrifice?

In school, we learn about all these great historians who were willing to stand for what they believed in.  Let's talk about Rosa Parks for example, on December 1st of 1955; she refused to give her seat to a white passenger.  She probably knew what was going to happen to her when she did it, but she was willing to take the consequences because she wanted other people like here to have the same rights as everyone else.  I believe she showed great patriotism because she sacrificed herself for us to have a better nation.

I don't necessarily believe that you have to be willing to sacrifice something for your country to show great patriotism.  I believe that patriotism means that you are proud to be from the United States, you proudly stand when the National Anthem is played, you enjoy the freedom and rights you have as an American, and are willing to help make the country better.  It means that you are thankful for the people who served for us, and are serving now.

I found this quote that I really feel as if it relates to this and is basically describe exactly what I was thinking.  It is from www.cnn.com and someone said, "Patriotism is not something that can be described in one word, one sentence, or in one paragraph.  It can be described in that one moment.  You just know that moment."  For me, that one moment is on the Fourth of July, when I see the American Flag waving on almost every flag pole and I see the fireworks in the background.  It reminds me why being an American is so special.  And that is What Patriotism Means to Me.


I was very impressed when I read her essay.  Her mom and I and her sister were proud to sit in the audience today as they read her name and she went forward to receive her award.  We had a great meal and she got a couple of cash awards for essay.  I don't know what Hannah will want to do when she graduates from high school.  I know she will go to college.  Who knows, maybe someday a child in the future will have to write an essay and Hannah will be their inspiration.  Whatever she does, I am sure she will be a Patriot.  It runs in her blood.  Proud of you, Boog.  We love you.

Aunt Leona

This last week we closed another chapter in the Nutty Clusters family history.  My Aunt Leona, or Aunt Onie, as we lovingly called her, passed away on Monday, December 9.  When I think of Aunt Onie I think of fishing, camping, farming, telling jokes and having fun with her family.  I remember all of the campouts we had at the Lechner farm.  I remember going to their house in Harper for family get togethers, New Year Eves or just to visit.  I remember visiting with them in South Dakota when they custom cut and we were on vacation.  We always had fun with them.

While I was driving to Harper for the funeral, I was thinking of all of these things.  During the service the pastor read the scripture for his message, Proverbs 31:10-17, 24-28.       10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  I really think this scripture fit Aunt Onie to a T and so did the pastor as his sermon reflected on these verses and how he compared her to them.

This has been a hard year for our family. Losing Uncle Lindy in May, Randall in October and now Aunt Leona.  I have always wondered why God lets a person die so close to Christmas.  But yet there are always people who die on Christmas Day.  Losing my dad almost 5 years ago makes you notice the date and wonder why.  But, who are we to question God’s plan?  Our family has had our share of deaths in December and some of those are close to Christmas Day.  I will bet there was rejoicing in Heaven when Aunt Leona made her appearance.  Reunited with her husband, boys, sisters and parents, I am sure there were stories told.

My love and prayers go out to my Lechner cousins.  I won’t tell you it gets better, but it will.  Remember the good times (and the bad).   Share your memories with your kids so the stories are passed down and remembered.  I love you all, Ivan.