June 29, 2005

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

The U.S. flag is recognized in this country and throughout the world as a symbol of freedom. At a time when many Nebraskans are being called to serve our country, both here at home and around the world, it is especially important that we pay tribute to the significance our nation’s flag.

It is a sign of freedom that was hard-won by those who not only fought for independence, but also those who fight to preserve it. For many American veterans and their families, our flag serves as a tangible reminder of the lives lost defending the promise of democracy and a better way of life for more than 200 years. And in the years since September 11, 2001, our flag has come to represent a renewed commitment to patriotism and the power of democracy.

In 1949, Congress passed a joint resolution setting aside June 14 as a day to fly the red, white and blue in annual observance of Flag Day. This year citizens have been encouraged to display the flag with pride from Flag Day through Independence Day, and I ask that as Nebraskans, we fly our nation’s flag as a tribute to the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

While we proudly display a symbol of freedom known the world over, our state flag also carries tremendous meaning for Nebraskans and our citizen soldiers.

I was extremely honored recently to receive a Nebraska state flag, which was flown over Afghanistan and presented by a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard. Col. Tom Schuurmans is the commander of an embedded training team working with Afghan National Army that includes 25 Nebraska soldiers, and in speaking with him I was particularly impressed by the scope of his mission in Afghanistan.

There are currently more than 900 of Nebraska’s service men and women mobilized in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Each serves not only as an ambassador of the American way of life, but also as an ambassador for freedom.

The people of Afghanistan are on their way to re-establishing a country in which they can take an active part. Many of us often take for granted the lives we lead here in the United States, where we are free to participate in the civic process and speak our minds without fear. Our children are free to learn in a country that recognizes the value of their individual talents.

Those are quite simply things that did not happen until a few years ago across Afghanistan. The elections held there last fall were a tremendous step forward for a country wanting to start over. The missions that have called many of our citizen soldiers into action are worthy of our admiration and will play an important part in securing stability for Afghanistan and the entire Mid-East region for the future.

The personal sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families is worthy of praise and recognition as we prepare to celebrate the independence of our nation. I hope that people across our great state will join me in remembering their hard work in the remaining days between Flag Day and the Fourth of July.

Our flag is a symbol of the democratic ideals this country was founded on and is certainly worthy of protection. There is no more appropriate time to pay tribute to the privileges we all enjoy, and I encourage Nebraskans to display the American flag as a symbol of the enduring freedom our soldiers are fighting for.