DearMYRTLE - The Boy Scout & the Flag

Providing practical, down-to-earth advice for family historians since 1995, online since 1985.

The Boy Scout & the Flag

DearREADERS,
This morning I heard a noise in the front yard. As I peeked through the blinds to see what was up, there was a young teen and his dad, placing a fairly large US flag on a pole they inserted in the front lawn. They had it down to a science and worked cheerfully. The father used a closed-end pipe to drive in a 6 foot stake. Then the boy carefully unfurled the flag and placed the pole over the stake. As they walked away, I opened the front door to thank them. My little granddaughter was by my side asking why they did that.

My response was that they loaned us the flag for Veterans Day.

Now I sit here and realize that when she is through with brushing her teeth, I'll need to say a little more.

At five years of age, she is too young to understand freedom except in simplest terms like: we're free to live here or in Florida, whichever we choose; and we can choose to go to your church on Sunday as no one will force us.

I can't exactly explain defending human rights, but I can show her I have reverence for the flag by letting her know how beautiful I think it is. I can remind her how carefully the Boy Scout placed the flag without letting it touch the ground. When we go for a drive today, I can show her that every house up and down the street also has one of these special flags.

THANK HEAVENS Salt Lake City is still "small town" enough to observe Veterans Day in the old traditional way.

Happy family tree climbing!
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Your friend in genealogy.