The Home of the Brave

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Two police officers sat in their patrol car, staring at a flag atop a flagpole in a neighborhood whose houses were wiped out. Stunned they took pictures then collected the flag. Now they search for the owners. True story.

THE HOME OF THE BRAVE O the flag still waves in Paradise red, white, blue and singed as serpentine colors licked with razor-sharp tongues — black and white egg yolk yellow and rip-roaring red snapping, crackling, tearing in armageddon style O an angel stood guard taking mercy upon a lone symbol Patriotism withstanding 11/13/2018 *Title from last line of The Star Spangled Banner

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 11/14/2018 1:40:00 PM

'Patriotism withstanding!' That phrases really rocks for me. I'm an unabashed, unrepentantly sentimental patriot. I sing the SSB at the top of my lungs (well, almost at the top), and I cry at the end. I don't pay any attention to whatever's in or out--and it's never "in" to sing the SSB at ballgames. The USA was a refuge for my family from Hitler's Holocaust. If not for this great country, my family would have been "little bars of soap." Thank you, Kim! Best wishes, gw

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/14/2018 1:43:00 PM

Wow, Gershon! Thank you for sharing your poignant moment! My family met for a football game at a Sports Tavern this past weekend and we all stood up during the SSB as we always do! <3 Kim

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 11/14/2018 11:45:00 AM

How sad when our home is destroyed. Nice poem very heart felt Kim, Have a great day.

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/14/2018 11:56:00 AM

Thank you, dear Pixie!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 11/13/2018 9:36:00 PM

A superb tribute to our flag and the brave men and women who have fought for our freedom. The fire in Paradise is so devastating for all who lost their homes, some that lost their lives. Three cheers to all the brave firefighters who are still fighting blazes in California where three of my children reside. Bravo! ; )

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/13/2018 10:05:00 PM

I lived in Northern California for a couple years. This is so sad!

Mike Gentile

Date: 11/13/2018 8:09:00 AM

Kim, This is such a moving piece to read as this devastation continues and a lovely tribute as well xxoo

Kim Rodrigues
Date: 11/13/2018 2:54:00 PM

Thanks, Mike!