[Grovenet] That's one big flag

[Katie Allnutt]

We are all grateful for the opportunities that we experience in this  
wonderful country.
A flag of any size makes me feel that way.
I was looking for why they felt the need for an oversized flag.

Katie

On Apr 24, 2009, at 7:51 AM, Ron Howden wrote:

> 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]
>
> _______________________________________________
> GroveNet mailing list
> GroveNet at rdrop.com
> http://www.rdrop.com/mailman/listinfo/grovenet