Encouragement

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Mike Christian’s Flag

Mike Christian is an American.
I don’t know where he was born,
But I know that when in our service
He was a prisoner - wounded and worn.
Mike found a bit of color and
With a needle and... all by hand,
Inside of his shirt he constructed
Colors dear to his own land.

Every night when guards were weary
And had gone somewhat away,
Mike would hang his shirt upon the wall -
All of the prisoners would say,
“I pledge allegiance to the flag....”
“One nation under God...”
While their hearts enlarged within their breasts
Longing for their own sod.

One day the guards came searching and
They found inside Mike’s shirt
The crude constructed flag that served
To lift their spirits from the dirt.
Just outside the cell door where
Everyone would hear
The guards beat Mike Christian up and
Took that shirt so dear.

They threw Mike, broken, bleeding,
To the men so they could see
The penalties - the pay-off for
Pledging to Liberty.
The group gathered all around him
To clean and treat his wounds;
They only loved their land the more
And the flag! The symbol! The truth!

There wasn’t much that they could do.
Their spirits sank so low;
They had seen the enemy faces as
They took their flag to go. ...But
Mike Christian...found a needle and
Through bleeding, swollen eyes,
His buddies watched in wonder as
He began another surprise!

He took a bit of red, a bit of white, a bit of blue...
He made the stitches with torn hands
And all of his buddies knew
Mike Christian was an American -
Through and through and through!
...I tip my hat...and wipe a tear...
I’d like for Mike to know
I fly Mike Christian’s Flag at home
In the face of terrorist foes!

Red, white and blue, I love you!
Fly high across our land!
The spirit of allegiance place
In the heart of every man!
The spirit of courage and loyalty
The spirit of purity too -
Mike Christian’s flag! Fly high! Fly high!
Mike Christian’s red, white, and blue!

Joan Clifton Costner
copyright
http://underhiswings0.tripod.com

Epilog:
In the year 2003, I received an email from a neighbor of Mike Christian. Mike made it home again. This was the first time I knew, though I had endeavored to find out. His life ended in a house fire about 1999 or 2000. I am proud to have heard his story and written about such a fine gentleman and brave citizen.
Joan


To add to the Epilog:
In the month of May 2004, I received 4 emails from Mike’s friends and
cousins. I learned that Mike was brought up as a Christian, attending Church
regularly. Mike has left a wife and three children. What a hero he was!
Joan

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