[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 90 (Thursday, July 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMENDING JUD M. LOCKWOOD'S ARTICLE ON THE AMERICAN FLAG

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                     HON. GEORGE R. NETHERCUTT, JR.

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2000

  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, when I was in my district over the 4th 
of July weekend, I read a newspaper article in my hometown paper that 
deserves the attention of the House.
  The article explains how Jud M. Lockwood, of Spokane, WA, came to 
write a very moving paean to the American flag. Mr. Lockwood is a 
veteran of World War Two and he fought in North Africa and Europe. He 
knows first-hand of the sacrifices our fellow Americans have made to 
defend our nation and believes that the American flag is the living 
symbol of the price of freedom.
  Last year, Mr. Lockwood decided to write the story of the American 
flag. In five short paragraphs, writing from the point of view of the 
flag itself, the story brings to life the silent symbol of America. Mr. 
Lockwood is urging all Americans to take the time to read the story of 
our flag. I wish to join his crusade by entering into the Congressional 
Record Mr. Lockwood's story, as well as the newspaper article 
describing his passionate efforts to promote this worthy cause.
  Thank you Jud Lockwood, both for reminding Americans about the 
history and symbolism of our flag, but also for standing up for the 
flag in its time of need more than 50 years ago.

                     An Inspiration for Patriotism

                            (By Tracy Eilig)

       In a neon orange Hawaiian shirt, Jud Lockwood folds his 
     arms behind his head, rocks back in his easy chair and tries 
     to explain how the idea came to him.
       He can't. He hasn't a clue. He woke up one morning and the 
     idea was in his head, like a baby in a basket left on the 
     doorstep.
       But he's taken care of it ever since. Or, maybe, the idea 
     has taken care of him.
       ``I woke up and thought, `I fought hard for the American 
     flag and so did millions of others, and maybe I could write a 
     story to give it the credit it deserves,' '' he said.
       His wife, Ruth, was skeptical. ``Jud, you can't even write 
     a good letter,'' she said.
       But Lockwood sat down in his living room last fall with a 
     yellow legal pad in hand and wrote. He came up with five 
     paragraphs and 479 words that he wants everyone in America to 
     read.
       Lockwood calls it a story. But it's not really a story or a 
     poem. It takes the point of view of the flag talking about 
     itself in a way that ends up like a history lesson, a 
     reminder and an admonition It's sort of a red-white-and-blue 
     Post-it note of patriotism;
       ``When you pledge your allegiance to me, remember that it 
     stands for `Liberty and justice for all.' Please rest assured 
     that I will fly over your last resting place. Love and 
     respect me as I shall be yours forever.''
       That's the final paragraph. It brings tears to Lockwood's 
     eyes.
       ``My thrust is to get it out to the people because we 
     should all respect the flag,'' he said, ``To me, the flag is 
     priceless. I am a firm believer that it's an emblem of peace 
     in the world and as long as the flag flies we're safe.''
       A retired insurance salesman, former mayor of Omak, Wash., 
     and former manager of the Omak Chamber of Commerce, the 
     octogenerian and his wife moved to Spokane four years ago.
       He is a World War II veteran, having fought in North Africa 
     and Europe. He remembers watching fleets of B-17s fly over 
     Italy on their way to bomb German targets. Some of the planes 
     would vanish in a black cloud, in taking a direct hit from 
     anti-aircraft fire.
       In Tunis, he huddled with the rest of the troops as German 
     Messerschmitt fighters strafed and bombed their positions.
       ``You're just at their mercy,'' he said.
       It was a part of the war that Lockwood brought home with 
     him in 1945 and lingered for a while before vanishing. 
     Sitting at the dinner table, the sound of an airplane would 
     make him race outside and dive for cover.
       ``I think you get fear built up in you,'' he said.
       But Lockwood would do it again. He'd go to war for his 
     country again even at his age.
       ``Freedom is priceless as far as I'm concerned,'' he said.
       To Lockwood the flag is the embodiment of that freedom and 
     everyone should respect it. It's that belief that has driven 
     him for months.
       With the help of a neighbor in his apartment complex, 
     Lockwood got his flag story edited. With the help of the 
     building manager, he got it formatted on paper with stars in 
     the background and stripes around the border. With the 
     encouragement of his wife, daughter and strangers he's met 
     along the way, he's tried to sell his admonition to respect 
     the flag.
       He copyrighted his story and then made himself business 
     cards. He puts blue and red edging on them by hand with a 
     felt-tip marker. He finishes them with a sticker of, 
     naturally, an American flag.
       He's gone to schools. To fire departments. To the U.S. 
     Immigration and Naturalization Service. Everywhere, he tries 
     to sell copies of his flag story.
       ``Do you realize 600,000 immigrants enter the country 
     annually?'' he said.
       Every one of them should have a copy, Lockwood thinks. Why 
     not?
       He's taken his story to congressmen. He's offered it to 
     banks. He'd like it to be printed on the back of brochures 
     for political candidates. He's sold about 500 trying to cover 
     his expenses and given away hundreds of other copies.
       ``I would like to get this into a national concern. Maybe 
     someday, one of my children will take over,'' he said. ``I 
     would like to see the flag story on the Statue of Liberty, 
     put into bronze or something.''
       Lockwood woke up one morning with his version of the 
     American dream. He took care of it, made it grow. It's taking 
     care of him, too.
       Before the idea for his flag story came to him, Lockwood 
     was feeling a little adrift.
       ``I really didn't do much. I'd walk downtown, got involved 
     with my church. Basically, I don't think I had a lot of 
     direction until this bombshell--this story hit,'' he said. 
     ``I wonder if I didn't have this, what really would I be 
     doing?''
       But it's a question he doesn't need to probe. He's got his 
     mission.
       ``I get carried away, each day I get up seeing where I can 
     sell them. I think the possibilities are unlimited. It keeps 
     me going, keeps me active,'' Lockwood said. ``It gives me a 
     goal every day to go out and meet people.''

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                   I Am Your Flag--The American Flag

       I am also known as the Grand Old Flag. I am the greatest 
     flag in the world. I am thrilled and overjoyed that I can 
     represent you. As I fly from many high and lofty heights, you 
     honor me from places such as the United States capital, state 
     capitals, your home, city halls, cemeteries, the Tomb of the 
     Unknown Soldier, and the island of Iwo Jima. I am doing my 
     best to remind you that I represent the home of the brave and 
     the land of the free.
       My beginning is uncertain. Some scholars claim that Francis 
     Hopkins designed me, while other say Betsy Ross made me. 
     Whichever, it doesn't change my goals. It has been a grand 
     and glorious life for me. I have led this great country in 
     thousands of parades. I have been saluted by millions, and 
     sung to at events of all kinds. I am happy to wave to you as 
     a symbol of peace and hope. I am also known as Old Glory. 
     What an honor to have a name like that. I tingle with pride 
     when you sing the Star Spangled Banner, or graciously give 
     the Pledge Of Allegiance.
       Sometimes I get cold and lonesome flying high above. The 
     wind whips me in many directions, but my life is to give you 
     courage and direction. As I see a big storm approaching, I 
     become somewhat concerned and brace myself for the wind, 
     rain, hail, sleet, snow or whatever nature has in store. 
     Being afraid of the elements doesn't hurt my pride because 
     the American people are thinking of me, and what I proudly 
     stand for.
       For centuries I have been the symbol of peace and honor, 
     yet I have been burned, tattered, and torn by warfare. I have 
     been cursed, worn on people's anatomy, hairpieces and 
     clothing. I don't like it! It's disrespectful of my intent 
     and purpose to represent freedom. At times it is hard for me 
     to realize that I have been the emblem of peace and justice 
     for so many years. Why do some people want to destroy me, and 
     what I stand for? I hope that my days as your flag are not 
     numbered. Cherish me, respect and love me for centuries to 
     come. Sometimes I get so battered, torn and faded that I need 
     to be replaced. I know that one of my brothers or sisters is 
     willing and able to take my place as Old Glory. When my time 
     to depart arrives, I never want to leave without knowing that 
     another flag is flying for you on top of a flagpole or at 
     half-mast in honor of those who have made the ultimate 
     sacrifice for our great country.
       When you pledge your allegiance to me, remember that it 
     stands for liberty and justice for all. Please rest assured 
     that I will fly over your last resting place. Love and 
     respect me as I shall be forever yours.

     

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