The Flag Ceremony

I am a sucker for patriotic events. As kids, my brothers and I would march around the living room beating pots and pans marching to "Victory at Sea" playing on the stereo. The end of June meant that the fireworks stands would be going up and we would walk barefooted (in order to condition the feet for the inevitable heat of summer in California) to view the rather tame offerings (due to California's fire restrictions) at the Freedom Fireworks or Black Cat booth and imagine what havoc we could wreak on the 4th of July. When I stood in front of Leutze's painting of "Washington Crossing the Delaware" in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York I felt a sense of pride for and connection with our nation's 1st General and President.



This respect for the devotion to country was also reinforced at the semi-annual flag ceremony at Pacific Drive Elementary School. The entire student body would gather around the flag pole. Ted, the custodian, would roll out the upright piano and we would all recite the Pledge of Allegiance after which Mrs. Pool would sing the National Anthem. I never had Mrs. Pool as a teacher, but she was the symbol to me of our national song in those early years. (Ironically, my brother and I ran into her in an obscure Pennsylvania town at a random Italian restaurant many, many years later.) Those events solidified a certain reverance I still feel whenever the opportunity to display devotion to America presents itself, whether in the classroom or at a ball game.



I have noticed, however, that there has been a subtle de-emphasis on patriotism creeping into our culture. Ask elementary students how frequently they recite the pledge and, suprisingly, some will say not too often if at all. The National Anthem is still played at sports events around the country with the same excitement it always brought, but, where are the stories? Who is teaching our children of the heroics displayed by those who founded this country and were willing to die to establish and protect freedom? Who is standing up to challenge those who are now seeking to re-write American history and diminish the gift of national greatness bestowed on us by our Creator?



I was confronted by a comment I heard a couple of years ago. Someone on the radio said, 'how will you answer when your grandchildren ask you what you did during these challenging days?' That question haunted me for a while, but I soon committed to do all I could to understand and reacquaint myself with the history, the documents and the people that made this nation great. I began reading (and re-reading) the books, studying the Constitution and praying for renewal in America. I also committed to participate in the events that support our Nation's history and greatness. In fact, that very question is why we're loading up the car to head to DC for a patriotic rally later this month. For the 2nd time in a year, my family and I will stand amidst the throng of thousands seeking to regain a sense of pride and honor, longing to see America's strength restored and looking to find again the passion that filled the heart of that 1st grader as he sang the National Anthem with Mrs. Pool.