Bill OBoyle: Be proud; display the flag
Jul. 2—Aside from fireworks and barbecues and backyard gatherings, July 4th is about patriotism.
Nobody epitomized that more than my late friend, Jim Walsh.
If ever there was an American who bled red, white and blue, it was Jim Walsh.
Walsh, a true patriot in every sense of the word, died on June 30, 2020, at the age of 95.
Jim never missed an opportunity to tell anybody who would listen why the United States is the greatest nation in the world and that they should show their patriotism by displaying the American flag.
If Jim were here today, his message would be the same. All he ever wanted was to see Americans display the Stars and Stripes to show their love of their country and to be true patriots.
It was not too much to ask. So we ask all Americans to honor Jim and all veterans and to honor our country by displaying the flag on July 4.
Patriotism is something we all need to keep in our hearts. We must always be respectful of our veterans and all they did to preserve our freedom. And the best way to show our respect is to display the flag.
And yes, when you see a veteran, thank him or her for their service. It's all they ask and it's much less than what they deserve.
Jim Walsh served in World War II. He fought in the European Theater and the Battle of the Bulge.
Jim was 18 in May 1943, when he enlisted with two of his high school classmates. They left school early, receiving their diplomas when they returned from war.
"We were anxious to serve our country," Jim once told me. "In our minds, it was patriotic. We never realized what we were getting into — nobody did."
Jim always said the flag is the symbol of America and it should be displayed not just on holidays, but every day.
Jim would purchase flags and distribute them. He would attend Wilkes-Barre City Council meetings and urge the city to promote the display of the flag on buildings and homes.
Jim always felt that to see the American flag everywhere on Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and July 4th is a good thing — but seeing the flag every day is even better.
That always brought a smile to Jim's face and warmth to his patriotic heart and soul.
One time I visited Jim at his home. We sat at his kitchen table and Jim told me that he often thought about the soldiers involved in the D-Day invasion. He couldn't imagine what was going through their minds as they prepared to hit the beaches along Northern France.
"I think of the young men getting off those landing crafts," Jim said. "Many of them never got to shore. When they ran out to meet the enemy, they were hit with machine gun and artillery fire. So many were lost."
With tears in his eyes, Jim talked about the bravery of those soldiers — he noted they all knew there was a chance they would not return to their families.
"Many of them knew they weren't going to make it," Jim said. "They were told that by Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and other officers. I can't imagine what was going through their minds — the fear. Yet, they still ran off those boats to that beach to meet the enemy. They knew they had to — for their country."
Jim said he was proud to be an American and proud to be a veteran who fought for his country.
"I'm thankful every day that I was born in America and served my country," he said. "And I am proud of all veterans who served in the military and fought to defend our country and the world."
Every year — actually every day of his life — Jim advocated for veterans and for patriotism.
"We all live in a free country, thanks to our veterans," he said.
I respected Jim for who he was and what he proudly stood for — that every American needs to never forget what veterans have meant to all of us.
And that we all should display our patriotism, our respect, for veterans and for our country, by waving our flag.
July 4th is a celebration of our independence. What better reason could their be to celebrate, to have family and friends together and to gather and have fun.
But we should never lose focus on what we are celebrating — our independence and the sacrifices made to preserve that independence since Revolutionary times.
God bless America.
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Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
