Fly the Flag to Remember

by Joanne Wiklund

Today is Flag Day. One of the most poignant remembrance ceremonies I always enjoyed was when the American Legion in Cordova burned the old, worn out, torn and wearied flags they collected through the years. The Legion sat on the riverbank near the boat dock, and it was touching to watch as the flags were added to the bonfire. While the Legion building is history, the service for retiring used up flags is still available by legion members. I was told that used flags are collected at the Cordova Township office.

Johnny Cash has a song with recitation in it called “That Ragged Old Flag,” which is a touching collection of times where the flag has stood through war and stress and come through it all. As a child we learned all about handling the American Flag, and I don’t know that children today are taught that. Been a while since I had an elementary student. I have a folded flag presented to me in a cold rain after a cadre of Legion members presented military rites at Zuma Cemetery. Very impressive. It’s on the wall now in the dining room in a beautiful wooden frame.

The flag means a lot to me. It means most of all members of our family who served to defend us and it. It is important that we honor it. That we replace it when it’s worn and ragged. Happy Flag Day! And to those who erect the flag displays for today, I thank you for all of us. Teach the children to respect it.

Matthew 18:6 “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 10.Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Mark 9:36 “He took a child and set him in the midst of them: and when he  had taken him into his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me.”