'Barbara Fritchie' and a July 4 prayer for our nation

A bit of Fred trivia: I was born in Frederick, Maryland. That’s where I got my name. We didn’t live there long, so I don’t remember anything about it.

I mention it only because of that I grew up hearing about a famous incident — or legend — that happened in Frederick during the Civil War, immortalized in a once very well-known poem, titled simply, “Barbara Fritchie,” by John Greenleaf Whittier.

Warning: Supporters of the Confederacy or adherers to the “Lost Cause” myth should stop reading at this point.

The poet tells of the town being invaded by a Confederate army. In the morning American flags are flying all over town, but by the time the Confederates arrive around noon all the flags have — understandably — come down.

“Shoot, if you must, this old, gray head!”

The poem describes the huge army moving through the streets led by General “Stonewall” Jackson. He glances up to see one last solitary American flag in a window. Jackson commands the army to halt and to fire at the flag, all but obliterating it.

As it falls off the broken staff an old lady appears at the window and grabs the tattered remains, proclaiming, as rendered in the poem: “‘Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, but spare your country’s flag,’ she said.”

The poem then beautifully describes the different expressions that pass across the general’s face — from rage, to sadness, to “a blush of shame.”

And then the surprise turn: Stonewall, recognizing bravery when he sees it, commands:

“‘Whoever touches a hair of yon gray head dies like a dog! March on!’ he said.”

The poem then paints a dramatic visual of the rebel army marching through the streets for most of the day until nighttime, with the remnants of the old lady’s USA flag flying above them.

“And ever after may the stars look down …”

So, as we prepare to celebrate our nation’s Independence and abiding, but threatened, Union, I offer the final stanzas of this poem for your reflection. (Incidentally, my super-patriotic, immigrant father would have a catch in his voice whenever he recited these lines; I still do, too.)

“… (now) over Barbara Fritchie’s grave,

(may) that flag of freedom and union, wave!

Peace and order and beauty draw

round thy symbol of light and law;

And ever after may the stars look down

on (those) stars (and stripes) below — in Frederick town!”

Let us hope that good Americans become the “Barbara Fritchies” of present day — bravely standing against:

Those who would divide us,

Deny the cherished rights that are still a beacon of hope to the world,

Do violence on behalf of ugly, misguided ideology,

Betray our democracy in ever expanding ways,

And seek to reject the ideals of our Republic.

Prayer for Independence Day, 2025

Lord, God Almighty, bless our memory of the brave women and men who have stood up in our nation’s darkest hours against those who would drag us away from our highest principles.

May “old, gray heads” join with younger heads to stand up and speak out for the beautiful ideals our beautiful flag represents.

May we demand that our creed of “liberty and justice for all” is followed with passion and not allow it to simply be a slogan for school children to recite, but never practiced.

Bless all present-day heroes and heroines who are courageously rising against hatred and injustice in our own dark times.

Inspire and empower each of us to respond in whatever ways we can against the real and rising threats to our nation — from within and without.

May we show uncommon bravery in nudging our nation toward unity; in pushing forward in creating the multicultural, “beloved community” that America can yet be.

Bless all — past and present — for answering the call to public service in challenging, dangerous times. For demonstrating how patriotic love of country can be channeled to great good through careful application of “light and law.”

We pray for all honorable national, state, and local office holders as they serve to make a positive difference in the lives of our citizens; especially be with judges and courts, attorneys general and special prosecutors navigating these sometimes-lawless days.

Guide and protect the members of our Military. May they never again be used for foolish misadventures.

With one foot standing in the present and one stepping toward the future, honoring the great achievements of the past, guide each public servant to see themselves truly as servants of the public — of each and every citizen; help them to have a clear eye to the legacy they will leave behind, how history will judge them, and recognize the immense responsibility they carry.

Lead each of us to make it more difficult for those leaders who choose personal aggrandizement over public service, who are “show horses and not work horses”; leaders who govern thoughtfully and whose prime objective is not the volume of internet post “hits,” podcast appearances, or “softball” cable news interviews.

Bless those elected officials who quietly do their duty without concocting the most outrageous behavior or tweeting the most ridiculous conspiracy theories in order to gain ill-gotten attention or notoriety.

May we help usher in a golden age of righteous and ethical public service by simply demanding the best from our elected officials.

May future generations honor and thank us, for how we responded to this moral moment in the history of our nation and world.

Make us truly “one nation, under God,” allowing all the freedom to choose their religious beliefs and follow their own spiritual paths.

Bless this national celebration of our independence and our ideals.

May this July 4, 2025, celebration usher in new unity of righteous purpose, a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood, “from sea to shining sea.”

Amen.