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July 27, 2010

When the flag parades by, please stand up

I look forward to the July 4th parades, the Yarmouth Clam festival parade, the Maine Lobster Festival parade, the Old Hallowell Day parade. Let's face it I love a parade. A lot of prep goes into them and you never know what kind of weather the participants are going to have to endure while walking in the parades. I really appreciate their efforts.

However, the last few parades I have attended I've noticed something that really burns my you-know-what. The flag, our flag, the flag of these United States goes by and so many that have brought chairs so that they can comfortably watch the parade remain seated! Can you believe that? If you aren't showing respect to the flag then how can you expect others to respect our country. The flag is a symbol of our unity and the strength that is took to forge this country. I have witnessed a one-legged, one-armed veteran get out of his wheelchair to salute the flag as it passed by him.

While I'm on the subject, I also can not believe that they have to make an announcement for men to remove their hats at ball games when the National Anthem is played. And aren't service personnel supposed to salute the flag if they don't remove their covers during the playing of the anthem?

I recently watched as the camera panned two servicemen chatting away with their covers on during the playing of the anthem. How can we expect our children to show respect when these are the examples they have to follow?

Enough patriotism was brought out after 9/11 that we shouldn't have forgotten already.

Cathy Brouwer

Hallowell

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