For the last month, it has been difficult to see protests nationwide go away from peaceful demonstrations to destructive riots in many of our country’s biggest cities. Protesters have trampled on American flags, statues and monuments have been torn down or destroyed and members of law enforcement have been the focus of one attack after another. It’s been a very difficult month.
Then came last Wednesday afternoon as many local supporters of our country lined up on an overpass in Mountain Grove proudly displaying military and American flags.
Many supporters were members of the American Legion Post No. 30 and VFW Post No. 3770. The Mountain Grove Fire Department also had one of their trucks display a large American flag that was easy to see by traffic driving both directions on Highway 60.
They set up this moving display for the Vietnam War Traveling Memorial Wall and nearly 100 motorcycle riders escorting it from Thayer to its eventual destination at an American Legion Post in Springfield.
As I made my way to the exit to take pictures, I found myself getting a little emotional seeing all of the people holding American flags, not to mention, the large flag on the fire truck’s ladder.
I was personally moved by the patriotic display. Then as I was seeing some of the around 100 patriotic motorcyle riders escorting the trailer transporting the wall, it was difficult to hold back my emotions. For at least one afternoon, I was reminded that there are indeed many people who still love living in the greatest nation in the world.
While it is true there are many things needing to change for the betterment of our nation, our positives still outweigh our negatives.
My hope is for more patriotic displays to take place in the future. Our country needs it. It’s also a great way to thank the many veterans who have served or who are serving in order to protect the very same freedoms many have exercised over the past month.
