I am a fervent nationalist (some have even gone as far as calling me a "jingoistic fascist) yet our flag is quite tiny.

          Why? There really isn't a good spot to hang one on our rented home. Either it would be too low or behind trees.

          Someday it would be nice to have real pole out in the yard. For now I have to get my big flag fix here at Ft. Huachuca.

Greywar at JoeUser

Greywar at Buzz.mn

Laborare Est Orare

As long as the flag is where you can see it, what does it matter if it is obscured by trees? Heck, you could have it on a nice stand inside your home.

I plan to use the tetherball pole to let the cub scouts practice raising and lowering the flag, I figure it's good experience. Our normal flag mount it outside a small closet in a gable, not really practical.

So how many people who have a flag out at night actually shine a light on it like they're supposed to?

Jacob

I was rushing around doing the usual things, and totally forgot: thanks for the reminder.

There weren't a lot of reminders elsewhere, were there.

Sure, it's Flag Day, but more importantly it's my birthday. On June 14, 230 years ago, the first offical flag was adopted by the Continental Congress. Of far more historical significance, on June 14, 30 years ago, I was born.

I suppose which turns out to be more significant remains to be seen, but considering I was born on the 200th birthday of the U.S. flag, how can I not end up having a serious (and hopefully positive) impact on the course of history?

--
"We are the Hokies. We will Prevail... We are Virginia Tech!" -Nikki Giovanni, April 17, 2007.
--
"We are the Hokies. We will Prevail... We are Virginia Tech!" -Nikki Giovanni, April 17, 2007.

I drove past a small VFW hall last week and saw a drop-off box for old flags to be destroyed. If looked like a old US Postal Service mailbox painted olive drab green. I hadn't seen that before. Not sure if that's typical.

June 14 is also the birthday of the US Army. Happy 232nd, Hoo-ah!

I'm reading the Bleat, and see a reference to promoting a Flag Day post to the front page. And I think to myself, No, he couldn't mean my post. Could he? Did I just get referenced indirectly in the Bleat? (clicks to buzz.mn) Wow!

And you are right, there didn't seem to be a lot of reminders around. It seemed to me that in years past, we'd see Flag Day sales at stores, and flags on street lights, all sorts of things. Now, I guess, it takes a national crisis to get people that emotional about the flag. I begin to sense the motivation of the flag-protection-ammendment people: Perhaps it isn't desecratory acts by a small minority so much as the appearance that the only time you see the flag is in negative displays of that nature.

Makes you reminisce for the end of your broadcast day, doesn't it?

Jacob

Jacob,

Hold on to that flag until your next campfire and have a flag retirement ceremony with the cub scouts. We have one with each of our campfires (We have about 3 a year) and it is a great way to teach the boys respect for the flag while disposing of it in a dignified manner. It also makes a nice solemn ceremony to close the campfire with. It helps to quiet the boys down and get them in the right frame of mind to head off to bed.

Here is a link to some suggestions for flag retirement ceremonies.

http://scoutingbear.com/USA/flagret.htm

A few tips from a fellow scouter:

Less reading and more patriotic songs works best for cubs.

Many flags burn a lot hotter and higher than you probably expect. Be ready for this. If you have multiple flags, let the first burn down a bit before putting the second one on. Your nylon flag will melt, then burn hot with some black smoke. Make sure that everyone is sitting back away from the fire before you start.

Have an adult with a poker to fold the edges over into the fire so that it doesn't get out of control.

If done well, this can be a moving ceremony. I have seen grown men cry at flag retirements. For many, the flag represents a relative who died in battle. Others see it as a symbol of home, hearth and family. You don't have to be a fervent nationalist to respect that.

Good luck and have fun!