A Picture of a Flag

     I know this looks like any other picture of the American Flag that you might see flying anywhere in the US. I'll tell you why this specific photo has special meaning for me. I took this picture on March 9, 1996, at the Port of Marseille in Marseille, France. The night before, our Zone, composed of about 20 missionaries in the greater Marseille area, had been street contacting together down near the pier where there would be more people to talk to.  We rarely did this as a group, and focused our efforts on the town we were actually working in (Aubagne).  That evening we kept meeting Americans, who were so happy to see people who not only knew their way around, but also spoke English--AMERICAN English.  We ran into one young man who was the Elder's Quorum President on the aircraft carrier they all came from:  the USS George Washington, which was anchored out in the Port of Marseille.  Another friendly young man walked us back to the apartment where we were staying that night, with a promise to meet us the next day with the rest of our group for a tour of the ship. 
     The next day was our Preparation Day, so we had some free time to go see cultural sites, write letters to our families, and go see other interesting things, like American ships.  We all made our way down to the Port and saw the fellow we had met the night before.  There was a big line of French citizens waiting for a chance to go on the American boat.  He took us past all of them and onto the launch, which took us to the carrier.  We walked through the lower parts of the ship, saw the huge room the size of a gymnasium full of nothing but soda machines.  They had every flavor you could imagine, for 25 cents.  I hadn't had a root beer in over six months, but all I had in my coin purse was francs.  The man giving us the tour was kind enough to give those of us without any American money a quarter from his own pocket so we could have a taste from home.
     Then he took us up to the flight deck to see the planes.  What you see above is what stood out to me as we arrived up top.  I realized I hadn't seen this flag waving for at least six months, and my heart filled with overwhelming joy at the bond to this country.  While I was enjoying my time in France, I knew where my home was, and I was proud and grateful that I would be returning there.  I was filled with gratitude for the several thousand men and women on that ship who were working to protect that country, the place I loved.