On an Okie’s Barn

[Samuari]

Yesterday, I drove to visit my mom. Normally I drive about 60 miles of two-lane hiway before I get to interstate, but yesterday there was bridge washed out that meant that I had a six mile detour over section line roads, that normally only serve local traffic. In the middle of a muddy wheat field was a barn with a newly painted roof. The top panel was an American Flag, and underneath was:

9/11/01,
WE SHALL NEVER FORGET

One of the truly stirring moments of my life, and if it hadn’t been for a washed out bridge, I would have missed it. How many other signs of patriotism and support and love are out there? This farmer could only have done this for himself and his few neighbors, but he did not care if it was not seen by thousands, he needed to see it.

And, as it turned out so did I.

 

[Kasha]

On the news..

Out here in Spokane:
This teenaged boy was home alone when all this happened. He immiediately went in search of a flag but was unable to find one. So, this young man went up on his roof and painted the entire American flag, the date and God Bless. This was featured on the news... at the end of the segment the newscasters laughed and said that although this was a great thing the kid had done, he did it while his parents were out of town...They still haven't said what the reaction of the parents was. I thought this was a great story and I personally don't think the kid should be punished... Those parents should be proud they have such a thoughtful son.

Also, I went to a "rally" type thing that was sponsored by one of the local radio stations. It was on Saturday night at the local mall. In the parking lot hundreds of people had gathered to support the Red Cross. The parking lot was packed with so many different people that it just made my heart swell with pride and joy. There were mothers out there at midnight with their young ones and there were tons and tons of teen agers. It gave me such a feeling of community and solidarity. I cried but it made me feel a little better. People had their faces painted, they were wearing red, white and blue and of course they were waving flags at the passers by.

At midnight the DJ, announced that there would be a reading of a poem by a 16 year old girl then there would be a moment of silence then everyone was to get in there cars and honk and flash their lights to show the people in New York and in DC that we supported them.. So, the girl comes on the radio and reads her poem brokenly... tears heard in her voice. The moment of silence and then everyone blared their horns and honked their lights. Again I started to cry because of all the emotion this all caused to start again. It really made me proud and confident that this next generation of kids will have pride in their country and a love for their fellow man.

The one thought that keeps entering my mind is that we MUST protect our littlest citizens... especially the victims children. They are the ones that are mostly in my thoughts now... I pray for them at least 4 times a day.... I hope that they have loved ones around them that can somewhat explain this... and make them feel protected and loved.....

 

[Cheyenne]

It was painted on the roof? Could it be that you have an airport not too far away, that low flying planes of people would be able to see the message?

Still a cool idea. I wonder how many other barns will pop up like that across the country.