She's a Grand Ol' Flag! . . . Some Ways to Show Your Patriotism!

In the wake of events unfolding across the sea, I find myself again watching CNN for the "latest in news coverage on the attacks on America. While CNN is doing a wonderful job in keeping the population up to date on the facts and figures, they are lacking in news, which the average man could use about now. The news I am speaking of is "how can I help?"

Believe it or not, even years after the horrific attacks, I am still hearing persons speaking those self same words and wanting direction in how to feel "connected" with their patriotism.

The following information is simple and is given in the hopes of sparking some fire deep within each of you reading this to do "more" in showing your love of country. I list the following websites with a brief description of that within it, with the best of interests at heart. That which we can do is simple.....is often the most effective!

l. Display THE FLAG! If you have a flag....fly it! If there is some reason you cannot fly a flag on your home, then consider having your child (or the child within yourself) color some of the following pages, placing them in windows for passersby to see! Do remember if using markers, NOT to use water based markers as they will "run" when moisture is around them! Crayons work well on most every page and in fact lend a nice "stained glass" look.

katu.com has wonderful coloring pages with patriotic themes, just look for the link.

This is a neat flag.....shown flying in the breeze with the phrase "Proud to be An American Kid" above it. it is very effective when seen "en masse" in window after window of a classroom or home!

This is a simple flag design. it is especially effective when trimmed to the outline and placed in a car window! Permanent markers give a rich, deep color...do be careful though...PERMANENT is just that....PERMANENT! Obviously not for use with very young children!

Here is a beautiful flag with a super-imposed Eagle upon the flag! the outstretched wings of the Eagle show strength and courage and look GREAT displayed in the window of a door where the details can be more easily appreciated! Not really for further away windows, as the details may be lost with space!

And don't forget your car antenna.....while most printers don't print waterproof ink, you can always laminate it to make it sturdier. Some stationary stores are selling "antenna flags" as well. In a pinch, wide packing tape works quite nicely to waterproof flags!

Want somestars for your windows but can't find them? Here are some websites that show how to EASILY cut five pointed stars in one snip of the scissors! Believe me, they are VERY easy to cut.....my kind of decorations to make! Legend has it, that Betsy Ross cut the stars for the flag in this exact same way! As far as I'm concerned....what's good enough for Betsy, is good enough for me!

Now, if you aren't crafty, but want to help out the community in some way...consider some of the following ways:

2. GIVE BLOOD......I know everyone is saying this but wait....and wait I mean! Wait until one month, two months , even three months down the line and THEN give blood! The need will still be there but the fervor may not and your donations will still be appreciated!

If you CANNOT give blood for one reason or another, consider babysitting for a friend or neighbor while THEY give blood in your stead! As the Mother of 2 active boys, I can tell you in all honesty, it is close to impossible to give blood with children in tow! Your offer will be much appreciated!

3. WEAR RED, WHITE, AND BLUE! This is as simple as it sounds....wear one of the three colors listed....add star jewelry, pins, ribbons or scarfs and...Viola! You are patriotic!

A simple scarf to make is to purchase 1/3 yard of any red, white and blue (patriotic) fabric. Hem all four edges, tie a loose single knot in the center and join the two edges (either sew shut or tie double knot) and wear.....very quick and easy, but definitely eye catching!

Or, purchase some fabric paints and decorate T-shirts....sweatshirts....shorts and even socks with a patriotic theme! Let your imagination and patriotism go wild! Anything goes as long as it is red, white and blue! there are even some neat patriotic buttons out there that can transform a boring chambray shirt into a piece of "patriotic" art! Gather some friends, and have a "patriotic" clothing party....the results may astound you!

4. Donate to a local classroom. If you have extra assets and can purchase items without breaking your budget, consider purchasing stickers, flags, stars, even red, white and blue craft paper and deliver it to your local school or church. Kids want to be involved, but need direction, and while schools are trying to aid the children, budgets as they are, are not equipped for extra materials. Check with your child's teacher for the needs of the classroom and fill them! The kids will appreciate them and you will feel you "helped" them to be patriotic as well!

You can even copy enough pages for your child's class of any of the pages listed here, and give them to the teacher. One of my son's favorite "patriotic" items is a pencil flag. These are really nice, and the kids love to show their pride in their classroom. If you really feel generous, buy pencils, print out enough for the class and assemble. Giving the pre-assembled pencils complete with flag is a nice "treat" for elementary age kids! One Mother I know is planning on making extras of these to give out on Halloween!

Another thing you can do for the school (or library) is to visit your local book store and ask for a list of "patriotic" books. Purchase a few and deliver them to the school (or library). I guarantee, if your school is anything like ours, they can't keep the patriotic books on the shelves right now, so extras will most likely be greatly appreciated!

5. MAKE RIBBON BADGES.....
There are many of these around already but there is always a need for more of them. Make simple loops of red, white and blue ribbon and give with a small safety pin. Make and bag up a few dozen of them and deliver them to your local Doctors office, Veterinarian, stores, nursing home or even gas stations. Check before hand though, as some offices do not need or wish such donations. If you are turned down at one place, try another one.....there is a need out there for these simple displays of patriotism!

6. PRAY....
Now, this one seems simple enough but the question is...Are we doing it? Are we praying for our brave service men and women, our President and even our fellow man at this time? It is easy to do....if you need guidance here, there are many friends and clergy out there who will be all too happy to help. For those of you who do not "pray" then...think good thoughts.....let those good thoughts travel to the parties who will need them most and focus on them receiving your messages! Whatever you do, whatever you call it, concentrate on others at this time and ask yourself how YOU can help!

Finally....find a project or a cause in which you believe and concentrate on it. My oldest son has begun a project of which I will write later, but it takes up a lot of our time...time in which we very well could be worrying, time which is now being used constructively!

I myself, am now creating Patriotic Christmas tree ornaments and am planning a commemorative quilt, but if you aren't the "sewing type", find something deep within you that needs to be expressed and expound upon it! I have witnessed people purchasing tulip and hyacinth bulbs by the cart full.

They are planning a "flag flower bed" so their patriotism will show early next spring! Others are designing their outdoor Christmas decorations to have a "patriotic theme" while others are simply making themselves available to families of service men and women for baby sitting, homework help or just support! Whatever you feel moved to do is the RIGHT thing to do. The only WRONG thing, is the thing which you do NOT do!

For right now, more than ever before, we need to stand strong, stand together and stand proud.....Proud of who we are and of what our country stands for! Proud to be Americans! Proud of the red, white and blue!

NOTE: This has an assortment of ideas that anyone in any town can employ....some of them so simple that many have overlooked them. My wish is that through reading this article, you might take from here one idea and adapt it to fit your needs!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!