Bravery Rides the Wind

The colors waved in the air as if to solute the bravery of those who have defended and fought under it. I watched as the wind carried the threads of the red, white, and blue under and over each gust of wind. The colors of our nation began to blur as the national anthem played and tears made their way from my heavy heart, filling my eyes. I couldn’t help but think of the many ways I’ve now seen our flag since September 10th 2009. An American the flag has always symbolized freedom and the strength of our country to me. Now, it encompasses all the emotions known to a human heart. When I see our flag, no matter its size or form of display, my heart is flooded with pain and pride all at once.

I have seen our flag proudly show its brilliance, like a new medal of honor on a soldier’s uniform, while it flew above our nation’s capital; and I have also seen it cover the soldier who captured my heart, as he was escorted into his home town. As a child, I have gleefully waved a miniature flag at parades and 4th of July gatherings. Now, as an adult, I have felt with trembling hands the bumps and ridges of the stitching that forms the stars and stripes, and known that it was draped in sorrow over the one I loved. My tears have fallen into the threads as I stood with my hands and lips pressed against the fabric in an attempt to say a final goodbye.

Our flag will now forever symbolize to me not only freedom and strength, but also agony and loss. I often think back to the day that Tyler’s family and mine, friends, and I, escorted him through Marianna Arkansas. As I sat in the car with his family and looked out through the dark tinted windows, into a world that I believed would forever be grey to me, and I was overwhelmed with the pride 1st Lt. Tyler Parten’s town had for him. The people of Marianna seemed to have stopped time as young and old stepped out of their homes and businesses to wave their flags and show their respect in every way they could. An image of a little girl with her parents on their doorstep, holding a mini flag, is burned into my mind. She was a Marianna local dressed in pink with her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. I was once as little as her and waving a flag alongside my parents, but now I was all grown up, dressed in black, and following a flag that would fly no more.

I have spoken out over that draped flag to a crowd of people, in Marianna’s town park, about how much love I have in my heart for the soldier they were so proud of. I have let tears steadily fall down my cheeks as the same flag was folded and presented to Tyler’s family. I have sobbed and struggled to stand as each gun salute rang in my ears and crushed my heart with the agonizing reality. I have seen Marianna’s flags at half-staff in respectful memory of their brave soldier from West Point. I have seen our flag in every shape and form that I never thought I would, but as I watch it now, it flies free. It proudly displays freedom, and represents bravery…as it rides the wind. It’s red, white, and blue threads are tied to my heart…and I know one day I will ride the wind as well and finally see Tyler’s smiling face as he welcomes me home.