Danielle Sekula Composition 13 Nov. 2001 In Memory of Those Who Fought for our Great Country: Flag Cake The sky thundered and screeched with wonder as little sparks of light sputtered erratically through the night. It was Fourth of July again, and all around people were amazed. But to me, The Fourth of July means so much more since the day I met the sweetest old veteran who gave me his recipe for Flag Cake. Last Fourth of July I was invited to honor our veterans at an Independence Day Celebration. The table was piled high with bountiful foods that seemed endless. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted this beautiful cake. As I reached over to cut a piece, a veteran approached. "I made that cake; it's a Flag Cake," he said with pride. His eyes gleamed as he began to go off to a far away place; so I asked him how he made it. He smiled and said, "With a lot of memories." Then he asked, "Do you want to hear a story?" "When I make this cake I am reminded of World War II when I was a soldier in the Fourth Division. As we were scouting the area in Huertgen, my friend stepped on a mine that blew off his foot. The medics couldn't reach us because they were being fired on. So we stayed low and watched as machine gun bullets scarred the trees white around us. Finally, after 70 hours, they were able to reach us. He was still conscious, and I tried to keep him from loosing too much blood. I wish I could have done more to help him, but that was the best I could do. I have another friend I fought along with whose arms were ripped off by fragments of a German shell. I must say I was very fortunate to make it home with only a few severe gun-shot wounds and close calls. So now every year I make this cake in memory of the men I fought along side with." The recipe he shared is easy and fun. All you need to make the cake is two pints of strawberries, 1 box of your favorite cake mix batter, 1 1/3 cup of blueberries, and 1 tub of whipped topping. First, mix your favorite cake batter and let it cool. Do not take cake out of the pan. Second, wash strawberries and blueberries. Next, take strawberries and cut them into halves. Now here comes the fun part! Spread whipped topping on the cake like smooth waves. Take strawberry halves and blueberries, arranging them into your flag design. Be creative! Refrigerate until you're ready to serve this delectable desert. Flag Cake is easy to make and sure to have everyone taking a bite of American history. Surely Flag Cake is a good way to celebrate the Fourth of July and honor our veterans. As the World War II veteran told me, "this Flag Cake is in memory of all the men who fought for our great country." |