by Rev. Herb Flanders

[Teresa]

  This is an editorial that appeared in the Griffin, Ga newspaper, written
by Rev. Herb Flanders of the United Methodist Church.



  Dear President Obama,

  As I gather the Sunday before Memorial Day to worship with two United
Methodist congregations I pastor in Griffin, Ga, I'll think about some
of your recent comments. I'll be thinking of what you told a crowd of
about 2,000 in Strasbourg, Germany, as you spoke of our nation's views
of Europe - saying

  "Instead of celebrating your dynamic union and seeking to partner with
you to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has
shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive."

  The gray, balding heads on the people who worship with me attest to
their years of toil and labor on this Earth. They are, as Jesus said,
the 'salt of the Earth." They are grandmamas and granddaddies, blue
collar folks who worked hard to build a community and raise families, to
give to others when they had precious little for themselves.

  They continue to do these things today. Salt of the Earth they are and
heroes to boot.

  When this nation called they answered with a resounding 'yes' and went
where Uncle Sam asked them. A couple of months ago, we laid John Busbin
to rest. Like you, he visited Europe on behalf of the U.S. He beat you
there by 65 years and spent his time marking and clearing mine fields,
not giving speeches. Rather than being arrogant, dismissive or derisive,
John partnered with the French and others to meet a common challenge.
Others did the same, sailing on ships, slogging through mud or soaring
through the air because evil and tyranny were well on their way to
taking over the world.

  I wish you'd come May 24th and sit with these folks as we sing America
the Beautiful and America. I'd like it if you could sit up front with me
when Maxine Bunn and Jerry Turner do a medley of military service hymns
and the veterans or spouses of deceased veterans stand when their
branch's hymn is played.

  They grab hold of the pew in front of them to pull themselves to their
feet. I know I'm in the company of giants. I'd love for you to meet
Janie Worthy and understand those tears that still glisten on her cheeks
each Memorial Day Sunday.Annie married John Pershing Botkin in August
1943. Their daughter Gail was born Aug. 10, 1944, three or four months
after John shipped out to Europe. Janie, 19, went to St. Mary's, Ohio to
stay with her in-laws after Gail was born.

  One Sunday afternoon in early December, farm families began to call each
other as the postmaster's Model A made its way down the country roads.
They knew that car carried news that would shatter a family and were
trying to figure out where he was headed.

  He stopped in front of Janie's in-laws' farmhouse. Her daddy-in-law
walked out to meet him and learned that John was killed in action Nov.
11, 1944, serving with the Army in Alsace. Cpl. Botkin never saw, held
or kissed his little girl. As a father, you can empathize with Janie's
salty tears.

  Perhaps if you could come you'd see why your words hurt so many so much.

  America may be many things and she certainly isn't perfect, but heroes
with whom I share my life have hardly been arrogant, dismissive or
derisive of Europe. They've given themselves to save Europe when Europe
couldn't save itself.

  So, Mr. President, get out of Washington for a weekend and take a trip
down to Georgia. We'll feed you some barbecue over in Williamson and
I'll introduce you to some friends of mine, some everyday giants and
ordinary heroes.

  God bless,

  Herb Flanders

[Catwoman]

This needs to be printed in every newspaper in the US...Maybe then, that arrogant, dismissive young man whom some elected President would be forced to have to acknowledge the effect of his actions...Provided, of course, he elected to actually read some words from a member of the nation he leads.