I will be giving awards this year to those worthy, although I myself, in all humility, have won recognition at Olympic events, on naval vessels, in every U.S. city, in homes, in ballparks, at colleges and universities, on the high seas, on land, in wars, in the White House, and from Presidents. In fact, I've gained recognition in virtually every facet of society, including all levels of government.
I award to those who spit on me, allow the weather to scourge me, or dishonor me in any way by disregards, a blindfold of dirty rags.
To those who ignore me on my day -- Flag Day, Veterans Day, the Fourth of July, and other patriotic days, as well as at athletic contests where I fly (and none should be allowed without my presence), I award a worn-out seat cushion.
To those who would hasten from my presence or burn me, due to apathy, disdain, contempt, or lack of courage, I award a cup of ashes from a landfill.
To those who honor me by public conduct, speaking well of me, cherishing my coveted sacredness and heritage, and above all, taking pride in me and my presence, I award my most valuable award, the American Flag Award. This award requires allegiance, fidelity, courtesy, compassion, humanity, and more than that, a deep feeling inside of love for my presence. This award represents a red and white standard, with a blue square, filled with crystal-clear white stars, representing the country which adopted me as their guardian and protector.
For you see, I am the American flag, and these awards I grant without regard to race, color, creed, nationality, code of dress, length of hair, religious preference, or whatever.
A note of caution, however: the award recipients, while receiving my admiration, loyalty and continued devoted service, in whatever walk of life they may be treading, may receive ridicule and scorn! BUT, I will never let you down -- only you can let YOU or ME down!
My award -- the American Flag Award -- is not for the timid!
Forward written in 2007
Gary King
I have been asked on several occasions to reprint something I wrote in 1972 that not only caused numerous people to write to me and thank me for writing it, but which also won me a George Washington Honor Medal from Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. After I wrote it and it was first published, it was printed again and again in various publications.
I think a few things and some brief history are noteworthy about this particular piece of writing.
I was attending Kirkwood College in 1972 for a brief period under the GI Bill and one of the classes I was attending was an English Literature Class. One day, the instructor read an article and then asked us to write something patterned after that particular article. It had something to do with snyde awards a man made to some people.
I happened to glance out the window and thought to myself that I wondered what the flag would do if it were to give out awards. That turned out to be the name of my essay type of writing -- The Flag Speaks.
I wrote the essay and turned it into the instructor and later he asked me if he could forward it to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, a local newspaper. So it was published in 1972 in the Gazette and was later forwarded to Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge for consideration in their annual awards program. I was awarded a George Washington Honor Medal for that piece of work.
After I was notified by Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge that I had won the award, I wrote to them requesting permission to have it presented to me at the home of a small boy in Tiffin, Iowa, who had Spina Bifida. Their response was gratifying in several ways because they notified me that they not only would approve that request but that it also made history because it was the first time that this type of award had ever been presented in a private home.
I then contacted the University of Iowa and a former Hawkeye All-American football player, John Nyland, and asked him if he could accept the award and make another one, in my behalf, with me present, on behalf of all the crippled children of the world. John Nyland and the University of Iowa accepted and said they were honored that such a request was to be made in that manner and felt it was in upholding their tradition of providing the best in athletics and integrity in the State of Iowa.
I then decided to do one more thing. I contacted the then coach of the Green Bay Packers pro football team, Dan Devine, and asked him if there was any way he could send me a football, autographed by all the Green Bay Packer football team, for presentation to this little boy. He called me and said they would be glad to do it and was honored at the way the award was to be presented.
I received that football special delivery with all the signatures of the Green Bay Packers and on the day of the presentation, John Nyland presented the football to that little boy. In addition, retired Iowa Supreme Court Justice, Robert Larson, presented the George Washington Honor Medal to me, which I accepted on behalf of all the handicapped, disabled and less fortunate children of the world.
So, that essay, The Flag Speaks, is something I never forgot and I am very grateful to Robert Larson, John Nyland, Dan Devine, the Green Bay Packer football team and all those involved for their participation and for getting involved. Things like that help to restore our faith in the American system and the goodness of people.
Today, when their seems to be quite a bit of apathy toward the flag, a disregard for the greatness of this nation and our right to be free, I think it would be timely to once again present -- The Flag Speaks!
Afterward written in 2007
Gary King
I would also like to re-dedicate this piece to all the soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world who are giving of themselves and putting it all on the line for this nation. All of here in America, whether civilians or veterans, owe them all so much and we can never measure in dollars and cents the value of their service and what it means to us and this nation.
May God grant all of us the wisdom to never forget the sacrifices they and their families are making for all of us. We need to remember this, day by day, and say a prayer for all of them and their families. We owe all veterans of every war, and their families so much.
I thank God, as a veteran myself, for all of you out there and after 9/11, I will never forget the kind of courage, strength and determination that this nation displayed and continue to display during these times.
God Bless all of you and my prayer is that all of us take the time to pause and thank God for what we have and for one of the greatest friends all of us could have, and are reminded of each day when we see the red, white and blue colors which mean so much here in America -- the American Flag.