Flags on Main Street & Rte. 66!
  Pictures by Ian Tovey

O Say Can You See...

Thirty Three American flags were donated to the Town of Portland to commemorate the dedication and sacrifices of our veterans. They have been placed along Main Street and Rte. 66 as reminders of the debt we owe for the protection of our liberties.
    This is especially meaningful now as our military is still involved in Iraq, and suffers from the heartbreak of so many losses.
    The flag reminds us that it was not all for nothing. Whether you supported the war in Iraq or not, the brave soldiers who risk their lives for the freedom of others deserve nothing but our heartfelt respect. The optimism of America, so exemplified by our flag, gives us the faith that good things will eventually come from their sacrifice.

The flag of the United States means something different to us all.
    For some it is the symbol of national fervor, accompanied by the subtitle: "greatest nation on earth."
    Others appreciate the history it represents, from the dreams of our forefathers to the struggles of making freedom accessible to all.
    Still others see it as a symbol for our way of life.
    Or the federal government.
    To some it is a threat, just as freedom is a threat, along with learning, and thinking for oneself.
    To others, it represents not only the greatness of this vast nation, with its laws and civil rights, but the even greater possibilities of its potential—what the United States of America can, and hopefully will, someday be.

When you drive around Portland and see these wonderful flags, it might be best not to think of what they mean to other people.
    Think of what they mean to you instead.
    

In a way, the flag represents us all. We can decide its meaning any way we wish. In a general sense, it reflects who we are as a people, and as individuals.
    We might want it to represent the best of who we are, but the flag is not selective. It carries our generosity and our sins, our truth and our illusions.
    It can be said that we honor the flag not only with the Pledge of Allegiance but in our daily lives, with every deed that describes what it means to be American.
    To the eyes of the world, it can mean no less. And in this sense, they are right.
    The flag is us.

    The flags decorating Main Street and Route 66 were purchased by generous citizens to remind us of the service of our military people.
    It is well that we remember.
    It is well to ponder their sacrifices.
    They paid a price for liberty and human dignity that makes all of us forever in their debt.
Text by Dean Jacques

Top