Military Appreciation Day August 26 2014 Minnesota State Fair

Photo taken by Mary Katherine May at the 9:30 a.m.
flag raising ceremony at the 2014 Minnesota State Fair
on Military Appreciation Day.

This blogpost commentary by Mary Katherine May

Tuesday, August 26, 2014, at the Minnesota State Fair was Military Appreciation Day.  There were two flag raising ceremonies, and the three in our group--two grandchildren and I--attended the first at 9:30 a.m.  133,595 people attended the fair yesterday, yet there were barely 30 present at the ceremony, and most older in age than my 61 years.

Does that seem shamefully paltry? Perhaps not--not right, but also not unexpected. People go to the fair for fun and food.  Before I read the Tuesday schedule on Monday night I cannot say that I even knew that our great State Fair did this.  And perhaps even less right is that I am aware of only one Twin Cities television station to have filmed and reported on the event. I saw one video camera belong to KSTP.  They get a thumbs up in my book of praise.  Click Here to watch the video.

The program was short but moving, ending with taps being played in remembrance of all who have died protecting our country.  I am glad that we were there.  Having a father, stepfather, uncles, aunt, brother and others known to me who served during WWII, as well as in the Korean and Vietnam wars and now in current conflicts, it was a sentimental and tearful few moments of remembrance that our freedom isn't free.

James Carroll, WWII Veteran of the 101st Airborne Division,
the Screaming Eagles,who took part in the Normandy Invasion.
Photo taken by Mary Katherine May

Present at the ceremony was James Carroll from the 101st Airborne Division known as the Screaming Eagles who took part in the Normandy invasion.  It was a great honor to shake his hand and I doubt I will forget having done so.

2014 is a fearful time with a new kind of battle against terrorism that at present has no end in sight. I pray for peace and hope others are doing the same.  Freedom cannot be taken for granted, because if we do the privilege will be gone sooner than we think.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
And to the Republic, for which it stands,
One nation, under God, indivisible,
With liberty and justice for all.

God bless America.  God bless brave men and women who willingly take part in preserving our freedom.  Amen.

Prayer for Peace.

Video created by Mary Katherine May for The House United, 

a public access cable television show produced at

Northwest Community Television in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

NWCT is now live streaming on the web.