Yesterday at Felician Village, many of the residents of the assisted living facility gathered outside to celebrate Flag Day.
Barb Cook led the group with songs celebrating the United States, after which VFW Otto Oas Post 659 raised Old Glory.
While Flag Day is designed to be a day where we celebrate our country and all that makes it great, two residents of Felician Village felt a little somber at the state of things.
Father Gerald Foley spoke with us about his time in Vietnam, more specifically his return home.
He, along with many of his brothers in arms, were not treated well, and he feels that we as a country lack patriotism.
He recalled people doing whatever they could to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War.
“I don’t blame them for going to Canada to get out of the draft at that time,” he said “But I don’t think patriotism has returned yet.”
That sentiment was shared by fellow veteran Jim Goettler.
“When we had 9/11, everyone was patriotic,” he recalled. “After that, it seemed to go downhill too fast. Everyone should be patriotic, I think.”
Both men did have ideas for how we as a country can get better.
Father Foley suggested we all “try to keep faith in what we believe in, what our values are as a citizen in the United States, in spite of all the difficulties that are going on.”
Goettler had a different idea.
He explained, “Sometimes I think it would be a good idea if everybody served their country for a year at least maybe two, and did their duty for their country.”
Both Father Foley and Goettler did say they believe we can turn it around, but it will take some effort.
