American flag stands tall with simple beauty, symbolic meaning
Is there anything so beautiful as an American Flag fluttering in the wind? The significance of our U.S. Flag is both deep and touching. As we look at it, it is impossible to not feel pride in what our forefathers have created for us to enjoy. All our freedoms and protections, wrapped up into one symbol of our beginning, middle and current American pride.
Plus our American Flag is just so colorful. Not just a dot or sun or stripes. But the whole package.
Three colors, stars and stripes both. Each and every aspect with its own meaning.
Of course we all know what each star and stripe represents right?
Aside from the meaning of our American Flag, it truly is a work of art. It may however fall into the category of so much we pass and even look at each and every day without actually seeing. Like flowers, green grass, our mountains or the serenity of our lakes in the early morning calm. I’m afraid we get so busy, we miss things. Our simple yet attractive U.S. Flag being one of them.
All that said, American Flags, if flown, must be maintained.
We are fortunate our local Covey Pashley American Legion, in conjunction with its “sons of” representative Dave Winslow and supported by the Town of Webb, have installed, maintained and replaced when necessary the Flags along Route 28 in Old Forge and Eagle Bay for a number of years now. We should all thank them for this important task.
A little side story. The late Gil Miller, a respected local veteran in his own right, was the driving force behind the Route 28 flags.
As he aged, he took Dave Winslow aside, sat him down, put his arm around his rather large neck, leaned in close, waited for Dave to be looking him in the eye and said, “I’m getting kinda old for this flag project, you’re going to help me.”
That, according to Dave was the beginning, middle and end of the conversation.
As mentioned, maintenance is of utmost importance. Ripped and worn flags must be replaced or at the very least removed.
Like any other responsibility, flags take time, energy and attention, but it is necessary to maintain the intended honor and pride.
Sometimes flags can become unattached on top, causing them to hang upside down.
When is it okay to allow the American Flag to hang in an upside down position? Never. So if you notice your flag dangling improperly, please return it to its proper position.
As mentioned, if owned and flown, the Flag must be maintained.
If time, energy, funding or attention is not available, the responsible action to take is… remove it. Have you checked the condition of your flag lately?
Just a thought.
