Where are the Flags?

In the days following 9-11 and in the first few years on its anniversary flags were flying from so many homes on our street.  These flags were our way of showing solidarity with one another and with our Nation.  This morning there was one other flag on our street besides mine.  I walked around much of the neighborhood – several streets, many many homes – and counted a total of 11 flags including mine.

It’s not just the flags.  In my morning paper, aside from an editorial that was more about the current Colin Kaepernick controversy than it was about 9-11, there was nothing to remember this date.  We still get at least one story on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, reminding us of its history and telling us what happened, so why not 9-11?

I understand that many these days seem to take pride in not taking pride in their Country or in being American.  It’s fashionable to deny our Country’s many successes (most recently planting the American flag on the moon), and to blame our Country for a world’s anger, including blaming ourselves for the terrorist attack on our country 17 years ago today.

But still, what are we teaching our children?  I live on a street that is the direct route to a middle school, so many young students pass by the homes on this street, walking or in parents’ cars.  Imagine the pride that might well up inside of them seeing a street lined in the flag of their country.  Imagine their curiosity and demand they might have to understand the history of the event that gave rise to such a display.    But, instead, what do they see?  Just another day.  These young people may not even know about 9-11, and apparently it is not something that many think is worth remembering or teaching.  If they do know about this historical date, they see from the actions of their neighbors that it really doesn’t matter.

Being proud of this Country, showing solidarity with it and its people, recognizing that despite imperfections we are one Nation, indivisible, and always striving for liberty and justice for all are not bad things. One can be proud of this Country and hold views that differ from one’s neighbors.  Disagreements are not something that should result in shame about the Country that fights for and protects the rights to have such disagreements.

Yes, the flag is a symbol.  But our flag is a symbol of all the rights and freedoms that we hold dear. It represents our solidarity as a Nation.  Let us teach our children that.  And let us never forget 9-11.