[Grovenet] That's one big flag

[Ron Howden]

Maybe they are grateful for  the opportunities they experienced because this is a free country.
Ron H.

-----Original Message-----
From: Katie Allnutt <allnutt at verizon.net>
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 7:41 AM
To: Forest Grove local interests list <grovenet at rdrop.com>
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] That's one big flag

While I agree with you on the flag being too large, I have had a hard  
time trying to decide why it is a problem for me.
People who know Forest Grove know that there are enough of us who  
support the peace movement, PFLAG, shop local movements, alternative  
medicine, etc to know that the town is not over run with people who  
substitute a lapel pin for patriotism.
So I had to ask myself, why would people want this flag?  And since I  
have no idea who the donors are, I'll have to guess.
Perhaps they have lost a son or daughter to the horrors of the war in  
Iraq and they desperately want it to mean something. The huge flag  
may be an attempt to show the world how big the hole in their heart is.
Perhaps they do equate a big flag with a love of country more than  
they equate helping a neighbor to a love of country. If that is their  
priority then my heart goes out to them. There is joy in helping  
others that they will never know and every time I see the flag I will  
wish them luck in finding true joy.
Perhaps they are scared and a very large flag gives them a sense of  
certainty about the future. Ancient cultures took great comfort in  
totems and for some people a huge flag likely serves the same function.

I will try to take the flag in stride and not let it distract me from  
what is true about Forest Grove. It can serve as a reminder that what  
we actually do will have a more lasting effect than any flag that  
eventually tatters. Huge flags and flag poles will go out of style on  
their own accord and we can return to a time when it is the  
symbolism, not the size that reminds us of what our country stands  


[The entire original message is not included]