REFLECTIONS ON COMMUNITY — By Joe Patterson
On a hot August day last summer, as I zipped up the road to a meeting, I was listening to talk radio. The commentators were heatedly debating a great number of topics, and as these debates often go, the commentators refused to hear the other’s points of view. Rather, they aggressively talked over each other in one more frustrating exercise of animosity. Because I am a glutton for punishment, I’m no stranger to this show. When I reached my destination, your community park, I was hot and exhausted from arguing with the radio. Seeking positive energy I went for a short walk and soon found myself admiring a beautifully constructed flag pole flying our national ensign.
Now in complete harmony, I reflected on the importance of the flag. Not the material and stitching holding it together but something more intangible. Rather, the things that hold us all together; the men and women who fought under its’ watch, those whose caskets were covered by it, and the communities who proudly fly it. We are all tied to it somehow, regardless of where we come from.
My eyes moved down the flag staff to the base where I saw something that put me back. The shield of Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, a unit that I have served with twice and come to love. I have never been more proud to belong to anything as I am to that. I am a “Darkhorse” Marine. I stared at the emblem and allowed my mind to wonder.
I find great peace looking up at the Stars and Bars and am always reminded of why I served for so long. Like most, I feel great national pride, and like every other servicemember, I swore to support and defend the constitution. For me, though, my service always meant much more…it is communities like yours, the people who groom us before we swear in, care for us after, and raise their sons and daughters with a servant mentality.
I spent some time in deep thought staring at the flag; thinking of friends gained and friends lost. I felt conflicted between what I previously heard on the radio and my experience as a Marine with more than 22 years of service. Simply put, my experience did not align with the divisive topics that were being covered.
Service members are as diverse as the horses that fill your stables. My service bared witness to men and women from all walks of life and willing to sacrifice for each other nonetheless. Our love is not confined to race, age, ethnicity, religion, sex, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, etc… I truly never gave a second thought to any of the aforementioned categories when I was being shot at; I just wanted to know that I was not alone… and I never was! I was lifted up by the people with me and those back home, like you, supporting me.
Even the enemy didn’t give it a thought, they simply saw us as Americans and nothing else. Surely if the bad guys don’t differentiate between Americans, neither should we.
In combat, I knew the Marine on my right or left would do whatever necessary to ensure I got to come home. That Marine shared the same faith in me. Our survival depended on trust, which allowed us to be bold. That’s a lesson we can all apply. Society’s survival requires the same…and it all starts with community.
Your community remains one of the most patriotic and supportive I have ever seen. This is evidenced by the Eagle Scout (Zak Bettey) and the donors that made the flag pole possible. Your community has created a place for a veteran to find companionship with his experiences. You are loved more than you know by your Marines.
If we few are a reflection of American society, I would boldly state that we are proud to be a reflection of you.