Angela Kelly / Clarion Call

This past September 11th, I was presented with a unique opportunity. I was allowed to raise the same flag that flew on Clarion’s campus eight years prior.

As I raised the flag with a university police officer and discussed America with an officer in the U.S. military, I was overcome with patriotism.

I thought of those who were half-a-world away from me fighting to defend those stars and red and white stripes.

I thought of how Sept. 11, 2001 was the great tragedy of my generation, and how Pearl Harbor and The Alamo were tragedies to the the U.S. in the past.

Every time our nation has faced threats, the flag has been flown. The flag represents every man and woman whose life was suddenly changed when the time to protect the country came.

I urge everyone to take a moment to think of the times our nation was challenged and of those brave people who stepped up to defend it.