Sunday, June 14, 2009

Flag Day: What the Hell?

Today is Flag Day, the day we commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the Star-Spangled Banner, the good old Red White and Blue; as created by Betsy Ross, seamstress, patriot, probably a really nice lady. We celebrate flag day by flying that same flag, preferably as high as possible, with as large a flag as possible.

Does this sound familiar to you?

On Veteran's Day, we honor our veterans by flying the flag. On Memorial Day, we honor the fallen by flying the flag. On Independence Day, we honor our nation's founding by flying the flag.

Some people fly the flag every day.

Why, when we have so many good reasons for flying the flag, do we need another day, the sole significance of which is flag-flying?

I like the flag. It's a good flag. It's got good colors, good design, and an easy kind of symbolism that everyone can understand. It's even inspired shameless copy-cats. I'm generally satisfied with the amount of flags I have in my life.

But I really don't see the importance, or even the patriotic significance, of flying a flag for the sake of flying a flag.

So instead of going along with the crowd, I'm going to fly the flag of our Northern Neighbor, Canada. Give the maple leaf some love!



Happy Flag Day!

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