My Mom and I folded 144 pieces of Norwegian lefse to sell at a bake sale of Scandinavian goodies. My Dad is waiting for the ritual of raising the Swedish Maypole. The parade of Scandinavian flags in front of the museum brought tears to my Mom’s eyes. Thinking about what each flag (Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Finnish and Danish) stands for has DEEP meaning. Maybe because of much blood spilled in fighting for each respective country’s freedom during times of war. The Norwegians were the MOST feisty about their freedom during German Nazi occupation because they had been under Danish domination and then Swedish rule for so many years. Norway can share in feeling the same kind of pain that Ukraine has been subjected to while battling over turf and yearning for freedom. In any case, flags trump the gaiety of maypoles and the nourishment of lefse any day yet it was nice to have it all on June 17th for our local festivity!
Wars happen because there is evil in the world and I’m reminded of a quote I heard at church on Sunday: “All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Our American armed forces are fighting in Iraq today because there is evil in the world and if we do nothing, it will not only prevail but dominate!!! Not only do I want to remember my heritage from years past but also the brave men and women who are fighting under our American flag today, risking their lives for my freedom that I take all too for granted. We all do. We must rejoice in the sacrifices made in the past for our future freedom that we enjoy today. You can quote me on that!!!
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