Clancy Strock has shared many memorable musing in the little magazine, “Reminisce”. I first came across the magazine in my brother’s bathroom reading materials on a visit to Amarillo. I liked it so well I would gather up his back issues and read them when visiting. Clancy Strock was one of my favorite contributors. There is a book on the 50 favorites of his articles titled, “I Know….I Was There”.
Two weeks ago at a yard sale I was blessed to purchase a small box full of the back issues of “Reminisce” that I had not read, or remembered reading. His article in the July/August 1999 issue was right on with the events happening in our Great Country, The United States of America. From watching the news and the shift from Patriotism toward socialism I wonder how united we are today.
*Clancy Strock in his article shared memories over lunch with an old friend, Gerry. He was born in a sod house in the Nebraska Sand Hills, his nearest neighbor was 10 miles away. He fought in Germany during WW II and was able to attend college on the GI bill and become very successful in life.
Over lunch one day they recalled the patriotic songs from school, the “Star Spangled Banner” trying to recall when it became a curtain raiser for athletic events. He spoke of the thrill when those marching bands followed by the color guard came onto the football field, how the crowds of 80,000 (must have been a Cornhusker fan) rose to their feet with a roar of emotions.
He asked the question, “Are we part of the last generation to savor these emotions”? I quote directly from his article:
“Is it indeed “corny” to love your country? Were those lads fools who jumped to pick up the fallen colors on the field at Shiloh?
Wayne Whipple, in his book “The Man Without a Country”, suggest that patriotism is more than heroism. He calls it “religion of country”, a definition that doesn’t insist you must die on a battlefield to prove your love for your nation.”
He went on to question why it is ok to burn the flag, but against the law to burn leaves in your yard. He said, “Nowadays few people pause to salute the flag when it passes by.” Oh my, he would be really disappointed to see what is happen at our football games today.
What about this disrespect for Flag and Nation? He spoke of the song Kate Smith sang, “God Bless America”. How many today have heard it? I remember when dad brought home our first stereo record player with AM/FM radio. The first record played was Kate Smith singing that song. It burned an impression on my young teenage heart. It still melts today when I hear it.
Does the memories of Betty Ross or the armed service men who fought and died that we may remain free mean anything anymore? I don’t like this era we are living in. I miss the football and other sports as I refuse to watch the politicization and their disrespect for our Nation and Flag.
I’m with Clancy Strock and his friend Gerry, “I liked the era when our flag was worth honoring and worth fighting under, not just a decoration for Fast Eddie’s Used Car Mart.” However, I would prefer Fast Eddies respect for the flag as to the respect it receives from the anarchist today.
As for me, I am glad to have lived during a time when one was not ashamed to be called a patriot and I will continue to call myself a patriot until the day I die.
*Vol. 9, No. 4, July/August 1999, Page 6. Copyright © 2017, RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, and its licensors. All rights reserved. https://www.reminisce.com/