As I wondered around the neighborhood this Fourth of July weekend something was missing.
When I was young it was overly apparent that July 4th was on everyone’s mind. There were flags everywhere. And not just flags, but various banners and sometimes even lights.
People do forget.
After 911 I noticed an increase in patriotism. Flags could not be kept on the shelf at your local hardware store. I saw flags everywhere – not just on the outside of homes but on cars as well.
Fast forward a couple years and even though we have a multitude of soldiers still around the world fighting, the effects of 911 have worn away and general apathy has once again set it.
I almost forgot my flag this year – caught up with packing for a much needed vacation – I thought to myself, “what I hassle it would be to go up into the attic, get the flag, and fix the mount that had broken the previous year.”
Those thoughts, however fleeting they may have been, bothered me. Somewhere there are soldiers just wishing they could be home and fly the flag in their own yard. Needless to say I, of course, put up the flag and actually purchased a second one to put out front as well.
It is easy to get caught up with life’s inertia. With everyone looking at an upcoming election, the economy, and raising fuel and food prices, we forget to show our appreciation for the basic freedoms we enjoy everyday.
I think I will have to fly the flag extra days this year – seems we need to remember now, more than ever, how good we have it.
