Springtime and Old Glory

A few years ago, my parents gave my wife and I one of those sets with an American flag and a mounting kit in it.

At the time, we were living in an apartment and really didn't think A> That they would let us mount a flag on our deck, and B> That our neighbors wouldn't say something about it. So it stayed put up, until just recently.

When we moved into a house a few months ago, one thing that I was actually excited about was the fact that it had a flag mount already attached near the garage door.

(The cooler thing is that the flag mount actually has room for two flags and allows one to fly higher. So I already know the lower one is going to be put to use this fall with a brand-spanking new, bright orange Clemson tiger paw flag that I need to go buy)

About two weeks ago, I decided since the weather has gotten nice that I would finally put our flag up. It has been displayed proudly since.

I want to get a light with a photosensor and put it outside, so that when the sun goes down it will shine on the flag. You know you're not supposed to ever fly the American flag at night unless it is properly illuminated in such a fashion that the light is focused on the flag? Well... that was one of the first things I learned in Scouts.

Read more about the U.S. Flag Code and flag etiquette

I used to enjoy doing ROTC flag detail in the mornings and afternoons in high school - getting to go put the colors up and then, later in the day, take them down. It one of those things that until you do it, you just don't fully appreciate the honor and tradition of it.

I'm sure the neighbors think I'm weird because I take it down each night as the sun is setting and the first thing I do after I have dressed to go to work in the morning is go put the flag out. I take it down when it rains like you're supposed to, also. That's their prerogative.

The son of a friend of ours who crashes with his sister here at our place when their mom is out of town asks when they're over if he can put the flag out in the morning. I think that's awesome that he wants to do that. He's in JROTC and plans to go into the military, so it's good to get him in the practice of doing that anyway.

But a few days ago - I can't remember where my wife and I were coming from -- we got home and noticed that the neighbors beside us have put an American flag out also.

I don't know why they put one out -- whether out of pride, or to keep up with the Joneses, or because someone new on the block has one out and they feel comfortable having one out now to - or if it's some sort of contest... I have no clue.

But either ignorantly or lazily they don't take it down at night. I'm not going to go point out to them that they're supposed to. I may discuss the points of flag etiquette on my blog ... but don't want to start arguments in a new neighborhood or make our neighbors feel stupid. There's no point.

People can respect the flag or disrespect it all they want. But to love it is a different thing altogether.

I know why I fly it and why I treat it with respect and love. I fly it for our soldiers. I fly it to show respect for our nation's leaders, regardless of whether I agree with their politics or not. I fly it in honor of the people who founded this country, fought for it, and have died for it.

I have grandfathers who served this nation proudly -- fighting in northern Africa, Italy, and the shores of Normandy. I fly it in honor of them.

Alot of people are fairweather patriots. About mid-June you'll start to see some flags pop up here and there along Main Street or on other neighbors houses and they'll stay out through mid-July, and then be put up in closets until the same time next year.

Mine's going to stay out though. Until it gets tattered; then I'll probably take it to one of the local Scout troops and let them dispose of it. And then I'll buy another one.

Where I've Been

I've been told I need to update my blog.

So here's my update. It's not much. Just an update.

The last - well - six weeks - have been pretty crazy for me. I'm working on a 44 page magazine that I will have done by this time next week.

My wife and I moved into a house at the end of February. It's been a project to get this unpacked ever since.

There are boxes all over the place. I still haven't found half of my CDs. They're in the garage somewhere.

We painted also. Three rooms. Turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. Alot better of a job than was done by the previous residents.

It's also been birthday season -- two nephews, a sister, a sister-in-law, a mother-in-law, and a mother. So we've done a little traveling.

Last year at this time I was blogging alot about American Idol. I decided not to this year, for no one good reason. I will make a comment about this year's contest though: Totally Adam's to lose.

I've actually been meaning to get back on here for awhile now. There have been a few efforts to post, but nothing I really liked after getting about halfway through.

Not that this post is anything to brag about....

It may be a few more days though before anything substantial. Probably mid-next week. I have a few topics in mind. Until then...