Let's fly our nation's flag with pride

  • Posted: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 7:00 a.m.
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Eagle Editorial Board


Monday was the day to honor and celebrate two of America's greatest presidents: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Like too many holidays, it has become little more than a chance for stores to have "special" sales, although, of course, there is nothing wrong with that.


But it seems that Washington and Lincoln virtually were forgotten. Most of us went about our Monday routine with little thought to the greatness of those two presidents and their invaluable service in building and preserving this nation.


One reminder of the day was the hundreds of American flags flying in the breeze in many parts of the city. Sadly, the flags notably were absent in some areas, though, including neighbors that once were full of the red, white and blue on national holidays. We hope this absence was simply an oversight by the residents and not a loss of love and respect for our nation's banner.


The flag project was started some years ago by local Boy Scouts, and some troops and packs continue to be involved throughout the community. When the flag program grew too big, other groups got involved, including the Bryan Rotary Club, Bryan Noon Lions Club, St. Luke's United Methodist Church and First United Methodist Church, in addition to several Scout troops.


For $30 to $35 a year, local businesses and residents can have a beautiful American flag placed out front on President's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4, Patriots Day and Veterans Day. If you want a flag in front of your house or business on these holidays, contact one of the churches listed, a Scout or the Bryan Rotary Club at www.bryan-rotary.org or the Bryan Noon Lions Club at www.e.clubhouse.org/sites/bryannoon. To find out which group services your area, ask a neighbor who has a flag out front. It also might be good for the organizations to put contact information on each flag pole.


This year, the Bryan Rotary Club is starting a new effort to honor America's veterans on Veterans Day. Instead of placing the American flag in front of subscriber homes or businesses, members will place the flags in the Bryan Rotary Field of Honor at Veterans Park for a week. The flags will pay tribute to veterans, police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Each flag will carry a placard noting for whom the flag is donated.


We love our nation's flag and we get a thrill wherever we see it flying. Wouldn't it be great if every home and every business in College Station and Bryan had a flag flying on our national holidays? Sign up today so we truly can have a red, white and blue Memorial Day.


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