Confessions of a Practical Blonde: I Pledge Allegiance ...
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This year, however, I felt an overwhelming urge to purchase a U.S. flag, pole and bracket to mount to my house. I believe the urge is really an awakening of my obligations as a U.S. citizen. The impending election and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan also contributed. But I also sense a shift in the way Americans are thinking and doing things.
Specifically, I'm talking about the heightened awareness of our environment and how we'll leave our "footprint" on planet Earth.
If you think this column might be straying from its original topic, you're right. I want to talk about Old Glory. Everything I learned about the U.S. flag I learned at Frederick Harris Elementary School in Springfield. First we learned the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the events that led to Independence Day and the first flag created by Betsy Ross. I also was involved with a project to create a replica of the first U.S. flag for the Bicentennial in 1976 (yes, I am that old).
In 1892, Francis Bellamy wrote and published the first Pledge of Allegiance in his magazine Youth's Companion. The original version did not include the phrase "under God." It was added in the 1950s when the Cold War was beginning with the Soviet Union. However, it was the decade before, the 1940s, when many states required daily recitation of the Pledge by teachers and students. It was at that point that constitutional rights regarding reciting of the Pledge began to be debated.
The version I have memorized is: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Read those words. If the "under God" phrase does not work for you, take it out. In elementary and junior high school we recited the Pledge every day. We stopped in high school. I don't know why, but I remember that it wasn't part of our daily routine, unless there was an assembly.
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Each night I work at Hobson's Choice, I rattle off the specials. I have them memorized, it becomes automatic. On those rare nights that I realize I am on autopilot, I try to interject some spice or enthusiasm into my presentation.Thinking back, it has been the same with the Pledge and other poems, prayers or songs I have memorized. I was on autopilot each morning we said the Pledge, not really hearing the words I was speaking.
As I read back the Pledge right now, I'm like YEAH! I do pledge allegiance to the flag of this United States and for the republic for which it stands and liberty and justice for all. You bet!
People all over this world do not have the amazing gift that the U.S. gives us - freedom. We should stand up and say the Pledge or sing during the national anthem throughout the year, not just during the Fourth of July.
Back home in Springfield, each Independence Day my father would hang out our flag. The bracket to hold the flag was just outside my bedroom window, so Dad would come into my room early that morning and I would help him hang our flag.
As I look back, I recall how our house was suddenly different. I recall a sense of regality, like my house had just put on its best dress! My mom would have been planting new flowers and putting together hanging baskets to spruce up the front of the house. We would trim the bushes and make sure the lawn was mowed. The final touch was always the flag. As I picture my childhood home, standing on Tulsa Street directly in front of the house, in my mind's eye the house always looks like it does on the Fourth of July.
I have been driving around the Northern Berkshires quite a bit these past few weeks because of various errands, programs and events I have had to attend. I have noticed that folks are paying extra special attention to the outsides of their homes right now. Yes, some of it is maintenance that cannot be done in the winter, but I believe we want our homes to look great for Independence Day.
I feel uplifted and proud as I drive along. This truly is the greatest country on Earth, and I believe this is one of the best places to live in all of America.
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On Wednesday, July 2, I attended a flag-raising ceremony at Sweet Brook Transitional Care and Living Centers in Williamstown. I found out about the ceremony purely by coincidence. My plan was to attend the ceremony and take some pictures that could be used for this column. I had no idea that the ceremony would touch me the way it did.The flag, flag pole and installation were donated by the Janet Upjohn Stearns Charitable Trust. Janet's daughter, Janet Wallace Ley, is the current designator of the trust. Mrs. Ley was unable to attend the ceremony, but her husband retired Army Lt. Col. Fred Ley was there. Also on hand was the Williamstown American Legion honor guard.
Sue Gancarz, vice president of continuing care for Northern Berkshire Healthcare, said a few words before the dedication. Unfortunately for Sue, most of what she said was drowned out by passing traffic. But what I did hear, and see, was the Sweet Brook community spirit.
Both residents and employees attended the ceremony. Some of those residents no doubt were in their prime during the great wars of the 20th century. They all contributed to our freedom and helped shape the American way of life. As I stood there, I realized that all of these people are heroes.
CEO and President of Northern Berkshire Healthcare Rick Palmisano was also on hand and noted quite eloquently that the flag "represented the independence of our elders, as well as our country."
The pivotal moment of the ceremony came for me when an American Legion veteran was speaking. I apologize for not getting the veteran's name, because I think this was a beautiful way to describe our flag and I would like to give him credit: "We look at our flag and see colors, but those colors mean something. Blue is for the land we fought for, Red is for the blood shed by those who fought for her and White is for peace," something we should always work toward. [Editor's note: We believe the veteran was Post 152 Cmdr. George Sylvester.]
Those words have resonated with me ever since. I will not look at our flag without remembering the meaning of the colors.
At the ceremony, I met and talked to two of the guys who set up the flag pole: Keith Hewitt and Mike Murach. Both are employees of Sweet Brook. They did the concrete work, set the poll and did the landscaping. It took them about a week to complete.
I've actually known Keith for a lot of years. In fact, when I first moved to the Berkshires, we worked together at Champs Sports in Lanesborough. So, I wasn't shy about asking him how he felt about the work he did. He told me that he felt like he was part of the bigger picture and that working for Sweet Brook was a pleasure. He also said it was important for the residents and employees to see that flag every day.
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I was taken aback by his comments, only because I had known Keith in his younger days, fresh out of high school and still sowing his oats. I confess I do not run into Keith that often anymore, but I was very proud of him and his comments made me smile.Mike Muriak added, "As I was working on this project, I couldn't help but feel patriotic." As we talked, I noticed how important this project was to both Mike and Keith. I took note of their demeanor and noticed a special glow from the both of them. They were proud to do this for their company and dare I say for their county.
Each morning, I hang out my flag. By adding the flag I know my house has its best dress on. But more importantly it has finally sunk in that the U.S. flag is a symbol of our country, for those who have served and/or lost their lives in service to our country and for our freedom to do just about anything.
I'd like to say that I won't forget and that I won't take our freedom for granted any more, but truthfully, I know at some point I will find myself on autopilot again. Saying the words and not hearing them. I hope that I catch myself sooner, and refocus my attention to the words.
Happy Fourth of July and God Bless America!
