PHOTO: While in Redmond, Oregon, I was shocked to see hundreds of flags while driving through. It's not called "Flag City" for nothing.
The Unfolding of the American flag in the streets of Troy, New York was a reaction to people burning Old Glory during the Vietnam War. A local resident got a few friends together and marched down the street carrying flags in “protest over the protest.”
That act developed into the nation’s largest Flag Day Parade…until recently.
The City of Troy, famous as the home of the real “Uncle Sam” Wilson,
voted to discontinue the Flag Day Parade which once boasted 50,000 spectators - the exact population of the entire city!
Cost and shrinking attendance were cited as the major factors. But is that true?
While the flag is an inanimate object, it is more than a symbol to many. It makes one wonder if the reason Flag Day has gone out of favor in some parts is because things are going too well. It’s when our nation is in crisis that patriotism swells. Remember 911?
Or is it the polarization of America? But even if people are saluting the same flag for different reasons, that’s a greater reason to raise it high as a way of recognizing that we can disagree and still somehow be united. Many countries do not allow that.
Even in the midst of disagreements, the unfolding of the flag and the refolding of it when presented to a widow or widower or parent of a serviceperson should make one think on the reasons the soldier gave their life on behalf of the country for whom the flag waves.
PHOTO: While driving through Monterey, Massachusetts.
But perhaps the best reason for the unfolding of the flag is that America has been dedicated to The One that we should all agree on: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of The United States of America…one nation under God.”
PORTAL TO HEAVEN: The old expression, “Let’s run it up the flagpole and see who salutes” is almost a provocative thought when it comes to America. May looking up to the flag be a true portal because the country steadfastly raises His standard instead of lip service.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance…The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 33:12 NIV, Psalm 111:10 NIV