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The President and the governors can order the U.S. flag 'Old
Glory' flown half-staff through the U.S. Flag Code in
memorialization.
 This time, flags were raised to their peak, then lowered to
halfway in honor of those victims of murder and assault in Las Vegas
on October 1, 2017.
“Our Nation is heartbroken,” proclaimed President Donald
Trump, in his notice for the American flag to fly half-staff,
October 2-6, 2017. Meaning, a week of reflection before the Columbus
Day weekend. “As we grieve, we pray that God may provide comfort and
relief to all those suffering.”
The President and the governors can order the flag flown
half-staff through the U.S. Flag Code in memorialization.
These past years, I’d instead
not recall how often I’ve walked across the base in the morning to
see “Old Glory” flying below its peak to honor Americans under
tragic events. It's too often.
Some, including myself, take
to heart every half-staffed American flag. The symbolism collects
inside until it wells up. The flag is the ultimate point of shared
citizenship, especially if you are in ranks for a military reveille
or retreat. We stand at attention here and salute when the flag gets
lowered and folded for the day and when the National Anthem plays.
During half-staff days, I find strength and inspiration in
the story of William Driver.
Sea captain William Driver owned
the original flag nicknamed Old Glory. Historians said that his
mother crafted it and gave it to him in 1824 when he became a
shipmaster and commander.
Driver flew his flag on voyages
around the world and throughout his naval command. He wrote, “it has
ever been my staunch companion and protection. Savages and heathens,
lowly and oppressed, hailed and welcomed it at the far end of the
world. Then, why should it not be called Old Glory?”
In his
retirement, Driver hid Old Glory in a bed quilt in his home from
Confederate forces during the Civil War. Troops raided his property
and tried to seize it but came up short. Driver ensured that it was
flown over Nashville in plain view in 1862 after the retaking of the
city by Union forces.
Pointing out Driver’s tenacity, Union
aide-de-camp, Brig Gen. William Nelson, who ordered Driver’s flag
raised that day, hailed Old Glory, “which has so creditable a
history and a townsman so sturdy as Capt. William Driver, its
patriotic owner, when patriotism was fraught with great personal
danger.”
The brave choice of pressing on in our freedoms
today is not far removed.
Maybe it pulls at your heartstrings
too, every time you see the flag lower than it should be. Every
American flag is Old Glory, and every half-staff is a gesture of
high citizenship and honor.
In the face of violence without
cause during this moment in our history, I pray that we do not hide
patriotism for fear of retribution.
By Master Sgt. Michael Smith, Air National Guard
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
America's Symbol
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Colors Run True
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Old Glory |
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