WHAT DO OUR FLAGS AND ANTHEMS STAND FOR?
There was a time during my LEFTIST years, when I fully agreed with Canada’s Liberal Policy, supported by Canada’s Supreme Court, that allowed for the DESECRATION of our National Flag as a an EXPRESSION OF FREE SPEECH . . . BUT NOT ANYMORE.
DOING STUPID KID STUFF . . . DIDN’T MEAN WE WERE BAD KIDS – BUT:
On a camping trip I took as a teenager (around 16-17 years old) with several Canadian friends to Up-State New York, we somehow got hold of an American Flag. And when we entered the State Park in our car, we draped the flag over the trunk as we drove to our camping spot. It was just a stupid childish thing to do.
BUT . . . to our utter shock, a group of adult American men chased after us . . . some got in front of the car, and all threatened to beat us to a pulp when we came to a stop. Needless to say, we were more than just a bit scared.
Fortunately for us, these men accepted our apologies before fists flew, and let us continue along our way with a stern warning. BUT TRUTH BE TOLD . . . we weren’t sorry for what we did. And we would have apologized for anything not to get the crap kicked out of us by a bunch of American Red Necks.
FOR THE LIFE OF ME . . . I couldn’t understand what got these Americans so upset, considering that the FLAG was nothing more than “JUST” a printed design on a piece of cut and measured fabric.
In fact, I came away with the impression that these “NEANDERTHALS” had no idea whatsoever, as we CANADIANS did, of the VALUE of Free Speech.
I USED TO CHANT: HEY-HEY LBJ . . . HOW MANY KIDS DID YOU KILL TODAY?
I was raised through the Canadian (Quebec) education system, to learn that America was nothing short of a BULLY-NATION of Cowboys, who did whatever they could to be UGLY AMERICANS, which was at that time a Best Selling Book, that gave me all the APPROBATION I needed to believe that America was indeed a nation of BULLIES.
And what happened in that Up-State New York Campground, when these American “BULLIES” chased us down for dragging their FLAG . . . proved beyond all shadows of doubt, that my impression of the USA WAS 100% ON-TARGET.
SO . . . LET’S FAST FORWARD A WHOLE BUNCH OF YEARS:
You can’t blame a KID for believing what he/or she learned from adult role models, as I learned from my teachers, that Americans were international BULLIES, and outside of their COWBOY culture, were more or less DEVOID of a real culture, unlike us Canadians, who shared a BRIGHT & VIBRANT culture with France and England.
IN ESSENCE . . . WE WERE SUBJECTED TO HYPER-PROPAGANDA:
IN 100-PERCENT TRUTH . . . the reality was, and still is totally different than the perception and delusion was then, and perhaps still is now, which was FORCE-FED to children. If anything, we Canadians, especially Canadians who have no cultural connection to England or France, are indeed without our own significant national history and culture.
HOCKEY AND NATIONALLY FUNDED HEALTHCARE DOESN’T MAKE A CULTURE:
TO THE GREAT CHAGRIN OF MANY CANADIANS . . . it is far more honest for us to accept that our culture is tied almost inextricably to the culture of the United States of America, than it is to any other country or culture on earth. And that also goes for Canadians who have a past connection to England and France.
AND NOW THAT I’M ALL GROWN-UP . . . WHAT ABOUT THE FLAG?
The United States of America followed Canada’s LEAD, and made it LEGAL in 1989, and reconfirmed in 1990 as a function of FREE SPEECH . . . to be able to desecrate the AMERICAN FLAG.
In the mid 1960’s, when I desecrated the American Flag in that New York State Campground, it WASN’T the American men who threatened to beat me up who were the NEANDERTHALS . . . it was me. I WAS THE NEANDERTHAL, and certainly deserved a thrashing for such incredible disrespect.
BUT I WAS KID – INFLUENCED BY IDIOT ADULTS . . . and kids need to be cut some slack – SO HOW DO WE EXPLAIN ADULTS WHO DESECRATE OUR FLAGS TODAY?
HE FOUGHT FOR THE FLAG:
My dad fought in WWII . . . from the beginning till the end.
He was wounded, decorated multiple times, was hospitalized with Malaria, lived in the rain, cold and mud, slept under the open sky, went for days on end without sufficient food, marched across much of Europe (England, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Germany) under enemy fire, was thousands of miles from family and friends . . . and did so literally for FREE.
ALL MY DAD ASKED FOR FROM HIS FLAG . . . was to provide him with weapons, ammunition, a strategy, good leadership, clothing, and enough food to keep him going.
AND ANYONE WHO DESECRATES THIS FLAG . . . DESECRATES THAT MEMORY OF MY DAD.
But my dad was not alone – MY DAD WAS JUST ONE OF MILLIONS of brave men and women who did the same as him under the FLAGS of Canada and the USA.
HE FOUGHT FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE WORLD – AND THAT’S EVERYTHING:
If it wasn’t for my dad, who sacrificed not just 5-YEARS of his life in combat, but a lifetime of hard memories and experiences afterwards, I would not have the FREEDOM to be writing this EDITORIAL and producing VIDEOS . . . and you would not have the RIGHT to read what I write, and watch and listen to what I say.
LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR:
In my travels throughout Canada and the United States, if I happen to come upon a demonstration where either of these two FLAGS, are ever being desecrated, I would see that as an attack on the memory and sacrifice of my Father & Millions of others like him . . . and I would respond in kind.
I WILL SAY IT RIGHT HERE AND NOW . . . I would be more than willing to fight, take a beating, give a beating, and go to prison to defend our FLAGS, because without them . . . WE ARE NOT FREE PEOPLE.
And for both of our Supreme Courts to say otherwise . . . says all that needs to be said about the people who are making and enforcing our laws with the FREEDOM given to them under our FLAGS because of Patriots like my dad who put it all on the line for all of us . . . EVEN THE DESECRATERS.
God Bless Those Who Serve And Protect
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ASSOCIATED VIDEO:
Best Regards . . . Howard Galganov
21 Comments
Thank you for your prayers.
I do not know what this will bring but I do know we all need prayers. I also believe this is just what these narcissistic ,powercrazy sick people like Holder ,Sharpton and DeBlasio want for us all to split and fight so they can have the spoils to rule. I hope and pray that the whole country turns against them and realize what we really do have here if we could just get rid of the haters.
Lei’s hope and pray that begins tomorrow.
A few years back during my university days I had the opportunity to substitute teach. It was Remembrance Day, and a WWII vet was speaking to a class full of students. The students paid no attention nor respect towards the vet and I could see he was hurt. After the presentation, I approached the man and apologized for the students behaviour. He said, and I quote, “It’s okay son, we get this all the time.” I was so ashamed that day and could only think how wrong this was.
I have 22 friends, two full Korean War B-29 crews, who would die to see our flag again…Bud Farrell B-29 Gunner
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
That’s a very BIG AMEN!!!! Great editorial!!! Let’s fight shoulder to shoulder!
i LIVE IN BOTH COUNTRIES AND SUPORT BOTH FLAGS AND i WILL NOT ALOW EITHER FLAG TO BE DESECRATED. i DID NOT KNOW THAT THIS COULD BE DONE AND HOPE THAT IT IS RESINDED WHEN OUR REPUBLICANS GET BACK IN.
Graham Ferguson, Oliver, B.C.
Thanks for your great commentary Howard. It is important to us old vets who often didn’t know why we were fighting, but kept our commitment to God and country. Our flag is the highest symbol of this commitment and we hold in great contempt anyone who desecrates it taking youth into consideration of course.
Howard, Right, right , and right.
I, too, was born and raised in Montreal. I vividly recall my first encounter with Americans, when we drove to Plattsburgh, NY, and Burlington, VT to buy jeans for only $5.00/ea. I was blown away by the unexpected friendliness! I have since traveled extensively throughout the US (and wintered in Miami) and have grown to embrace what right wing Americans stand for. The flag represents wilfull sacrifice for the sake of the freedoms we now enjoy. Kudos to your heroic Dad! He spawned a fine son!
Thank you so much for another great Editorial and VIDEO Mr. Galganov. You are so right. Our Flags represent All Our Freedoms and all those who served for our Freedom. I pass on all your Editorials to my Addess Book and add them to Face Book. I want everyone to be able to read/watch what you say. You represent so many of us in America and Canada. I know you certainly Represent me!!!!!!
God Bless You for all you do. You are a “TRUE PATRIOT” Sir!!!!!!
Thanks for the testimonial, Howard. Nearly all productive Americans love our country too, warts and all – and we’re doing our best to eliminate the warts. I think your missives could be more effective if you could bring yourself to minimize excessive use of BOLD, ALL-CAPS to communicate what is important. It’s mildly an insult to readers’ intelligence. Let your words speak for themselves. “Speak softly, and carry a big stick” with strong ideas.
My dad went through exactly the same things as your father, but he was with the Long Range Desert Group (British SAS). …Tobruk, and went after Rommel in the desert. He and so many others did not go through hell to allow for this denigrating appeasement. Here you can desecrate the flag, but you cannot use English freely……a disgrace.
Thank you so much for writing this editorial. A blessing that we all learn in time.
Thank You! I was rejected by the military, due to my hearing, in 1966. I would have gone and done my part. My friends went and thank God they returned. For years I felt guilty for not being there as they were. These guys told me that they were glad the way things worked out for all of us and not to feel guilty because they new that in spirit I was right beside them. I was. God Bless all that have served.
Pat Neuhaus, Mt Pleasant, SC
Thanks Howard. I am a few years older then you. my father also fought in WWII in the Canadian army from 39 – 45. He wasn’t wounded though.
I moved to Houston in 1977, and can not for the life of me see that desecrating a flag is “speech”, it is an ACTION. I could support some idiot saying he wanted to burn the flag, but I can never support the action of him doing it. That SHOULD be illegal.
This past week I was proud to be among a group of singers who volunteered to entertain at a pub night at the Perley-Rideau Veterans Residence in Ottawa. Their pub was filled with WWII vets who all served proudly for our country, as did my late father, 1939-45 in the Service Corp. Many of these veterans still suffer from injuries of those years. I’m sure
each would be pleased to inform our young people today of their pride in our flag. Shirley Bond, Ottawa, ON
Howard, you are a true patriot and a true warrior. We are your brothers and sisters.
The current generation is going to learn ONLY when they feel the pain.
That day is rapidly coming.
Excellent!
Lets start with who we might possible acknowledge as the “first” lady.
She has as much resect for the flag as she does for whites!
Howard–I read this twice yesterday–and for the third time this Monday-Memorial holiday morning– except this time I have tears in my eyes–This is one of your best Heart Touching Editorials and there will be copy’s posted in my office this week and and Kept and reread often in appreciation of those Men and Women-like my Father –who gave all-For all of us-Yes Those flags that fly in the Cementary’s-around our Country–really do mean a lot—- to a lot of us–Thank you
I witnessed something similar at a convention I attended in NY State. Some Cdn’s thought it would be fun to tear down an American flag and toss it. And like immature children they got moronic jollies from it. The Americans were more than gracious by forgiving the Cdn’s, but even though I had no part in this inconsiderate, rude and despicable act I was never so embarrassed and ashamed to be a Canuck.
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