THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 19, 1995 TAG: 9507180313
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A08 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: MY TURN
SOURCE: MARY MALONEY
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Recently my daughter and I were sitting around bored one Sunday when we decided to go for a ride. The ``ride'' was a Sunday ritual in my family while I was growing up. The entire family piles into the car with no predetermined destination. Boredom brought this memory back to me and so I insisted that my daughter and I set out for a ``ride''.
We drove on the streets of Norfolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach before returning home. We drove through lots of different neighborhoods.
My daughter and I saw beautiful homes with great landscaping, we saw homes that looked like no one cared about them. All these neighborhoods however, had one thing in common. I noticed a lot of flags being displayed.
I saw flags with flowers, birds and pineapples. Many flags had names embroidered on them. A few had a favorite sport depicted on them. I even saw a flag with a frog on it and another with a pig.
Unfortunately, I saw only seven American flags. Of the seven flags we spotted, three were in such poor condition they should have been taken down. We saw many businesses with flags flying high. Many of these businesses need to take a closer look at the flags they are displaying. Their condition was a disgrace. Truly they can find the funds in their budget to purchase new ones.
At the Mahoney home, our American flag is displayed almost every day. After all, it costs less than $10, and the pole is included. The only time our flag is brought in is due to inclement weather. We replace our flag every few months and let the Boy Scouts dispose of them properly during their annual flag drive.
I understand that many people choose only to display Old Glory on designated days. Arbor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or Veterans day to name a few. Why is displaying the American flag dismissed the remainder of the year? Do people not feel a sense of pride for their country anymore? Is there only a handful of patriots remaining?
I agree that our government lately has not given us much cause to stand up and cheer, but this symbol is part of our country's history.
As a child I remember the flag being out every day. My parents said that the flag was a symbol of all who fought and died for our freedoms. They said displaying the flag was one way of showing that you were proud to be American. The flag is a means of showing support for our armed forces, whether they are involved in a conflict, at war, or during peace time.
Please do not think that I am some almighty patriot. I do not walk around dressed in red, white and blue waving a flag in my hand! Sure I am proud to be an American, but I do not stroll about singing the National Anthem every day.
My point is that when we are young, we are taught in school all about how the flag came to be. A short chapter mentioned in our history class. We learn and memorize the Pledge of Allegiance the day we begin kindergarten.
At that young age we didn't even know why we were saying the words or what their meaning was. We just did what we were told and it became part of our morning routine on school days.
Doesn't it mean anything anymore? I do not have anything against those that choose to display the festive flags, for some they add a special look to their dwelling. They tell passers-by a bit about the residents at a glance.
I do feel that if you can display a flag with a frog on it than you can also display the flag of our country.
Much is rapidly changing in our society every day. Our country's flag however, has remained unchanged for many years. It is good to know that there will be some things in life that will never change. by CNB