It was a privilege to visit New England this past week where my wife and I celebrated our recent wedding anniversary. We used to tell ourselves when we moved to Midland that we would stay here for a couple of years and then move to the northeast, so it was fitting that 25 years later, we finally got there ... even if it was for only a week.
New Hampshire is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, from the lakes region in the central part of the state to the White Mountains up north. (A private guided tour in a van to the top of Mount Washington, the highest peak in the northeast, was one of the most terrifying 30 minute trips I have ever taken. They said the views on the mountain were breathtaking but they said nothing about lunch taking.)
New England is a fascinating place, filled with rich slices of American history and miles of rollling and beautiful landscapes, from Franconia Notch -- where Interstate 93 narrows to two lanes as it passes between two peaks in northern New Hampshire -- to the gray, cool coast of Kennebunkport, ME, home to the Bush family compound, made noticeable for the Texas flag that hangs side by side with the Maine and U.S. flags.
The food there is great and the people polite, and were I able to export just three things from this gorgeous place it would be these: The blueberry coffee (straight black is mouth-watering, but I'm told a drop of creme and sugar make it even better), lobster rolls (Skelley's on 109 near Moultonborough, NH, if you want the very best) and the patriotism found here.
We drove a lot during our five days in New Hampshire and invariably, in every city we toured, American flags hung utility poles on every downtown street, and on many front porches around every corner of these small towns. And when there were no poles from which to hang flags, there was red, white and blue bunting hanging from balconies.
I asked one man at Mount Washington State Park if the flags were up for a reason, thinking maybe Memorial Day was observed here a few days early.
"Nope," he said. "We've just always been a very patriotic state."
Think of it. Flags everywhere. Every day. Why not?
Even the remote lake house where we stayed, and where few people ever stay for long periods of time, came adorned with an American flag which hangs year round.
Midland is home to two presidents and a spirit that it dotes on routinely for good reason. We could do ourselves even prouder if someone at city hall, or maybe a private corporation in town, would dip into a petty cash fund somewhere and see to it that American flags are hung from poles and porches throughout our downtown and beyond -- and kept there year round.
Can you imagine what Wall Street would look like decked out in stars and stripes on every utility pole from the Federal Building west to Andrews Highway? What a great way to show off our hometown. Think of the patriotism we would teach our youth if Illinois was draped in red, white and blue, particularly in front of Midland High. And imagine the views from the offices downtown, looking onto the streets below where a view without seeing Old Glory, or 10 or 20 Old Glories, would be impossible.
Hats off to New Hampshire, a place filled with so much history, and with a people who are reminded of that history through a daily show of true patriotism. It's an example cities every would do well to follow.
(Photo: Alton, NH)
---someone at city hall-----
And.....you're missing the point about the flags. The idea is not for cities, governments or corporate sponsors to hang flags.....the idea is for the citizens to be inspired enough to do it themselves.
I don't make too much of a deal about it, because I think it benefits the Boy Scouts; but, as a veteran I get a little miffed on Veteran's Day and Memorial Day when my fellow citizens can't take 2 minutes of their own time to display a flag. They pay somebody else to do it. Kinda' reminds me of the Army these days. Some citizens can't find the time to serve their country.....so they pay others to do it. [end of soapbox]
Posted by: Wallace | Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 03:39 PM
Thank you Wallace for your service to our Country.
Patriotism has to be taught,..not bought! ;)
Posted by: John White | Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Well I dug myself this hole didn't I? Absolutely you can't buy it, and I dont mean to suggest staging patriotism. Such a gesture of adding flags in prominent places in Midland, it would be my hope, would only serve as a spark for it to become more widespread. I didn't articulate that clearly enough. You guys are both right ... if it ain't real it ain't real good.
Posted by: Jimmy | Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 12:57 PM