This Fourth-of-July Weekend, I had the privilege of attending a grammar school graduation. The little auditorium was packed with squeaky clean Graduates and their proud parents and friends.
The ceremony began with everyone being asked to stand while eight kids on the right of the stage, with the flag held high, marched up the stairs and onto the stage. With military order they did a left face, and then took a few steps toward the center; the kid in the middle holding the big flag. The flag was then presented as everyone saluted and voiced together the salute to the flag.
The National Anthem was played and once again everyone saluted and sang together the anthem. They didn't just sing the anthem; they belted it out!
We were still standing, while another group of kids on the left marched down the other side of the auditorium, up the stairs and onto the stage to face the first group of flag bearers The second group received the flag, about faced and marched back down proudly holding the flag, while the first group on the right marched back into the auditorium.
We all were asked to be seated as the ceremony continued.
Indeed the Forth of July and patriotism go hand in hand in our great red, white and blue weekend! Or is that so?
I took the privilege of giving this story a little twist!
Surprise!
This graduation wasn't in our nation. These kids weren't saluting our flag or loudly singing our national anthem! Kids don't do that any more in our nation.
They were saluting the Mexican Flag and singing the Mexican National Anthem!
Standing proud, they sang and saluted with all their hearts!
Mexicans are patriotic! All year, 24/7, little Mexican flags are proudly waving over the humblest of shacks.
Isn't it a shame that I have to go to another nation to experience patriotic kids that are proud of their nation!
Our Fourth of July here in America simply means another Holiday! Barbecue, fireworks and sunburn.
If you don't believe it, just ask an average American kid.
Oh, I might add ... Mexicans don't come over here to be Americans, they come here to be Mexicans in America.
