As suspected, most Lake Countians failed to fly the flag on Memorial Day, one of two national holidays where it really matters if your flag is unfurled. Um, for all you immigrant bashers, that would be an American flag.
The Hound used up precious gasoline (isn't that what expense accounts are for?) to investigate how many of you are real patriots, or just, as Thomas Paine coined back in the Revolutionary War, "sunshine patriots." As any journalist, Paine was sitting far behind the lines and didn't have to engage in a 360 (if you don't get that, ask your friendly neighborhood infantryman). He merely pointed out his fellow Americans' failures.
So-called patriots carp about adopting a constitutional amendment banning flag burning, but fail to put their flag out there on their front porches for all to see. That gets The Hound's dander up which means an upcoming complete coat dip. Full disclosure here: The News-Sun sells American flag kits at the front desk, or they used to. The Hound will check before the Fourth of July sneaks up on us.
Hoisting the flag may not be a big deal to most of you, but flying a national standard or battle flag or unit flag dates back to the Revolutionary War (Anybody remember "Don't Tread on Me" from Mr. Miller's American history class?). OK, so most of the flags today are made in China. It's still our flag.
Flying the flag (your friendly American Legion or VFW post certainly will elucidate one on flag etiquette or perhaps a Boy or Girl Scout or two) is like voting, The Hound believes. You don't have to, but you should. It makes you a better American. Who doesn't need more of those around the camp fire?
Drive on, warriors.
How right you are!!! I have been trying for two years to get the flagpole at Little Fort Elementary School in Waukegan scraped and painted.After realizing the effort was being wasted on a bunch of people worried about stepping on the districts painters union rights, I took matters into my own hands. Armed with scrapers, wire and pain brushes and a 25ft extension pole, I went to work. We now can take pride in our beautiful flagpole with a new planter box full of flowers to enjoy. I am a retired Navy veteran and think that all of our schools throughout the county should dedicate a little time to ensure that our nation's symbol has a place of respect and honor. It sets a good example for the kids!
THE HOUND SAYS: Great job on the flag pole. Guess veterans are the only ones who give a you know what. Why is that? Vets can't be the only ones who love their country. By the way, somebody needs to set a good example for the kids. Parents seem to be doing a lousy job these days. Anybody else out there who has a flag story?
Here's a flag story for you. As an Army retiree just imagine my astonishment when I read the covenant laws of my local homeowner's association stating I had to have written approval from the architecture review board to put a permanant flag pole in my yard. You think those Marines had to get permission from anyone to plant that flag on Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima?
THE HOUND SAYS: Homeowners' associations are the ultimate censors in this land of censorship. The Hound can imagine who wrote those rules --- someone who threw common sense out the window, along with flag etiquette, no doubt. Certainly, these homeowners don't want flag poles too tall or too short, but like Goldilocks, they want one just right. Whatever that is. They probably also have a dictum on the size of the flag you want to fly. You were talking about flying Old Glory and not the skull and crossbones, right? Whatever your flag, fly it proudly this weekend, Flag Day, and also the 233rd anniversary of the Army; and again on June 20, Audie Murphy's birthday. Drive on, warrior.