VETERANS DAY 2005 IN BLACKSHEAR GEORGIA

VETERANS' DAY 2005 IN BLACKSHEAR, GEORGIA

On 11 November, 2005, a ceremony honoring veterans was conducted at our little Blackshear, Georgia city park. The wind was whipping around lightly, and there was a chill in the air although the skies were blue. Our local American Legion, Post 181, was in charge of the ceremony. I am the Chaplain, so my mission was to open and close with prayer.

I looked out over the crowd that slowly gathered, and I saw many veterans, some young, some old, one in a wheelchair (Colonel Clark and he was dressed in his Army Dress Blue uniform). I was honored to be a part of this ceremony, and to be in such good company.
As I prayed, I asked the Lord to bless all that were there, I prayed for our active duty military members and their families, and for our great country. I then read this poem I wrote:


OLD GLORY FLAPS IN THE BREEZE

I woke up this morning way before dawn
I sat on my bench by the edge of the lawn
I meditated on the Lord and his goodness to me
I am blessed to live in America where I am free

I have a tall flag pole by my little white shed
I just raised a new flag, it is white, blue and red
I saw Old Glory whipping around in the breeze
For years it has flown over the land and the seas

As a young child I held my hand over my heart
I learned the Pledge of Allegiance, part by part
I recalled that day when I raised my right hand
I promised to support and defend our great land

As I watched Old Glory gently flapping in the wind
I prayed to the Lord and asked that he would mend
Our great nation so it would not be divided and fall
I believe the Lord heard me as on his name I did call

The red of Old Glory reminds me of the soldiers' blood
Shed on foreign desert sands and in the jungle mud
The 50 white stars set against the blue background
Reminds me of God's grace that is spread all around

God Bless America is a phrase that we often hear
Repeated on many lips day by day, year by year
Indeed God has blessed America in a mighty way
Because of the many that to him do kneel and pray

Copyright 2005 (Oct 2), Irvin L. Rozier, Captain (Retired), US Army



The guest speaker, Dr. Bill Young, pastor of First Baptist , gave a great speech. He is an Army veteran. Our Pierce County High School Band, played rousing, beautiful patriotic music, and then our Gold Star mothers were honored. A helicopter did a flyby, and our county commissioner gave a wonderful speech.

We then had a flag burning ceremony that was very moving. The mournful sound of "Taps" lingered in the air, as an old tattered flag was burned. I prayed that this would be a symbol of new things for our country, of new beginnings. As I gazed upon all the people there, I was reminded of God's grace that he shed on America. We still have freedom. It was a very fitting tribute to our veterans, their family members, and our country.

Afterwards, we went down to the American Legion hall and had BBQ, baked beans, potato salad, rolls, pound cake, and sweet tea.

Our county is small, about 15,000 and Blackshear has about 3000. Despite this, we have many veterans living in our county. I salute them all.

Irvin L. Rozier