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Jul 2008 Issue
by Nettie H. Francis
Oranges remind me of freedom—and of an experience I had when I was sixteen years old.
At the last bus stop the students climbed out, used the clean restrooms, bought sodas and stood around talking and laughing as usual. I walked a few feet away from the group and looked east, toward rolling, green hills. In the distance I could distinguish two faint, grey lines running parallel along the hills. I looked up at the huge, West German flag waving over me. It was July 1990, nine months after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and I was on a student exchange trip to Berlin.
The chaperon’s voice called us back to the bus. We clamored into our seats and drove east onto the smooth autobahn. The grey lines drew steadily nearer, and soon I could make out the barbed wire on them. In either direction watch towers stood like silent soldiers. Our bus crossed a bridge over a deep chasm, and everyone grew silent. Up ahead were row upon row of low, grey buildings.
Everything around us was deathly still. The grey shacks were empty. A few old signs with the words, “Halt, Hier Grenze!” were lying on the pavement. Surrounding the area were huge spotlights. At night they must have made the place look evil, but at noonday they seemed superficial. Our bus drove unhindered through the deserted area.
We continued on the now bumpy autobahn. The border station had barely disappeared behind us when I noticed a difference in the countryside: the fields were grey. No brilliant yellow corn stalks or green alfalfa stood against the blue sky as they had in the West. Instead, the rows of grain were thin and scraggly in the rocky ground. A town came into view. I sat up in anticipation. But the town was also grey. There were grey houses, grey streets and grey yards. No bright gardens, flower boxes or lattice work—trademarks of West Germany I had come to love—were anywhere. Driving further into town we passed a parking lot. It was full of cars, all identical grey. “Travies,” they were called; big enough to carry two people and a sack of potatoes. We drove past a long line of people (wearing grey clothes) waiting outside a market to buy oranges.
My 5th grade son came banging through the kitchen door, bringing my thoughts abruptly back to the present as I peeled oranges for an afternoon snack. “I saw a piece of the Berlin Wall today,” he announced. His class had taken a trip to a museum on the UNLV campus. “It was behind some glass and we couldn’t touch it.” I paused before answering him.
“I have a piece of the Berlin Wall out in the garage.” His eyes grew big. “And, you can touch it,” I added. My son was amazed. It was then that I realized I had never shared with him one of the life changing moments of my life—my trip to East Germany. That afternoon opened up a heartfelt discussion about freedom and America.
Later, I wondered, ‘What am I doing as a mother to ensure that a love for our country is embedded in the hearts of my children?’ Here are a few tips I have gleaned from several families to teach children about the sweet fruits of freedom.
Share Stories
Every family has personal patriotic experiences to share, whether from foreign missionaries, veterans or pioneers. American history is also full of stories that will inspire patriotism. Family Nights and lazy evenings in July are a great time to read family records, tell personal experiences and teach about America. Stories will plant the seeds of freedom in the soft hearts of our children.
Avoid Apathy
Do you take your hat off when a flag goes by in a parade? Or, do you sit as long as possible and then moan a little as you pull yourself to your feet and half-heartedly salute our passing colors? Parents’ patriotic attitudes will affect their children’s opinions. Be the first on your feet when you see a flag, or hear our national anthem. It should be a pleasure—not a pain—to show respect to our country.
Promote Patriotism
Actively teach a love for liberty in your home. Begin family council each month with the Pledge of Allegiance. Hold your own family flag-raising ceremony on the morning of the 4th of July on your front lawn. Teach your children how to properly fold and carry a flag. Speak with respect about our national leaders, even when you disagree with them. Review Article of Faith #12, and discuss what “sustaining the law” means. Show children that our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” is included in the hymnbook, along with “God Save the King” for our British brothers and sisters. Let your children know when and why you vote. Take them with you when possible. As a family, find a way to express gratitude to a military veteran. Actively promoting patriotism will inspire the next generation to keep America strong.
My trip to East Germany as a teenager changed my life. And, although I can’t send my 5th grader to Berlin, I can let him hold my piece of the wall and hopefully plant a love for liberty in his heart. I hope the fruits of freedom (and oranges) will be sweet to him as well.
