« Airline Loses Luggage of Israeli Security Detail; 4 Guns Missing | Main | Obama:" I will not rest " »
July 08, 2010
A Humble Act of Patriotism: Homeless Man Saves Fallen American Flag...Thank you Sir!
"The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing." (USC Title 4. Chapter 4. § 8j)
During a weekend storm last Sunday, an American Flag displayed on a pole outside of a federal contractor's (METI Inc.) building in El Paso, Texas fell to the ground in driving wind and rain. When employees arrived the following morning, they found their flag folded military style and the pole secured alongside the building. Mystified as to how Old Glory found such a cozy resting place, they turned to their surveillance cameras only to find that the patriotic act was the handiwork of a simple passer-by; a Good Samaritan who happened to be walking past the location when the flag fell to the pavement at 1:40 AM.
The story would have been heartfelt and may have even invoked a sense of pride in this great nation and its loyal citizens if the heroic tale ended there, but this story revealed an even greater picture of devotion to one's country regardless of the hand that may have been dealt to an individual in this Land of Opportunity.
The Good Samaritan; the altruistic passer-by; was a homeless man. Gustus Bozarth to pay him his full respect. He lives in a makeshift apartment in the back of a nearby warehouse. He was simply walking by the night the flag fell amidst an onslaught of wind and rain and felt a duty to his country and all that it represents to show our national symbol the respect that it deserves.
The video above , tells the tale of Gustus traveling the country and once working as a security guard in Tampa where he learned how to properly fold a flag. It also features a few words from this wonderful patriot where he tells the reporter that the flag symbolizes Freedom.
One man - a homeless man- understands the duty owed to his nation's flag, and despite all that he must overcome on a daily basis, still has enough admiration and respect for his great nation that he would never allow the Stars and Stripes to be soiled. He said "It's a small respect, folding the flag like that." After all that he has undoubtedly overcome and all that he must continue to face on a daily basis, he still has love for the nation that affords him the opportunity to live as he chooses and doesn't begrudge that nation for his current situation.
I have searched endlessly for more information on Gustus and have yet to find anything related to his current situation, how he got there, or what lies ahead for him. The local Fox affiliate posted on its webpage that it received hundreds of emails and phone calls from people around the country wanting to lend a hand to Gustus. I can only hope that these wonderfully compassionate people and those in his local community are able to reach out to Gustus and do whatever they can to show this wonderful patriot the respect that he so effortlessly and brilliantly showed them and their great nation through this humble act.
.
Wild Thing's comment.......
“...One man - a homeless man- understands the duty owed to his nation’s flag, and despite all that he must overcome on a daily basis, still has enough admiration and respect for his great nation that he would never allow the Stars and Stripes to be soiled...”
Gustus is more man than Obama will or could ever be! Thank you, Sir! God bless you.
Posted by Wild Thing at July 8, 2010 04:55 AM
Comments
What a great story. I agree Wild Thing. Gustus is more American than the entire obama administration. I hope someone in El Paso is able to provide him with a job. Also, almost anyone who likes cats is a good person.
Posted by: TomR,armed in Texas at July 8, 2010 09:08 AM
Not to be too crude Wild Thing, but in my humble opinion Obama isn't fit to carry this guy’s jock!
Posted by: MrHappy at July 8, 2010 11:48 AM
I am the flag of the United States of America.
My name is "Old Glory".
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshipped -- I am saluted.
I am loved -- I am revered.
I am respected -- and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war
for more then 200 years.
I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg,
Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill,
the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome
and the beaches of Normandy, Guam,
Okinawa, Korea, and Vietnam.
I was there. I led my troops.
I was dirty, battle-weary and tired,
but my soldiers cheered me
And I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled
on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt, for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn
and trampled on the streets of my country.
And when it's by those whom I've served in battle -- it hurts.
But I shall overcome -- for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth
and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space
from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness
to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips
and used as bandages
for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms
of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,
I am proud.
My name is "Old Glory".
Long may I wave.
Dear God in heaven,
Long may I wave.
I AM THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
By Howard Schnauber
Posted by: Carlos at July 8, 2010 04:56 PM
They say, Character is doing the right thing when nobody's watching. Gustus is that man of character.
Posted by: Mark at July 8, 2010 07:15 PM
Thank you everyone so much for watching this special video of Gustus. It is something I will remember for a long time.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 9, 2010 03:25 AM
