Divorce Is Pending
Saturday, September 19th, 2009Gert is rummaging through the cedar chest in preparation for fall. She is obsessed with decorating. She keeps calling out she has more for the yard sale pile. Just now she said, “What’s with this American flag?”
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then she became upset because I was fuming.
What’s the problem? That American flag was a wedding gift that I gave her. I had arranged to have it flown above the United States Capitol on our wedding day. Our then-senator Jon Corzine sent it to us.
Apparently it didn’t have the intended meaning. Gert is now very humble. 
Millville’s Flag Pole
Monday, July 20th, 2009
Title 4, Chapter 1, section 7(g) of the United States Code states:
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
Today, Millville Mayor Tim Shannon (he’s a Republican, fwiw . . . not that party affiliation has anything to do with this) hoisted the flag of Puerto Rico on the flag pole outside City Hall. At 4:30 when I stopped, this is how the flag pole looked.
It appears that once again Millville has flown flags incorrectly.
Millville Displays Ignorance
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Yesterday Emil Van Hook died. Van Hook was a local who served Millville as mayor, a commissioner, and a school board member. Van Hook left his mark on the city. Political supporters and opponents have remarked about his dedication to the city.
In what I presume is supposed to be a gesture of respect, the City of Millville displayed the American flag flown at half-staff to honor Van Hook.
An American flag is seen at half-staff in honor of the late Emil Van Hook at Millville City Hall on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, the ignorance of this action is inappropriate.
The American flag is not a symbol for local politicians who die, rather, it is a symbol of our great nation. As such, there are protocols as to how the flag is supposed to be flown and when it is to be done so at half-staff.
By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia.
There is no penalty for what Millville did other than display ignorance. The lack of consequence is such that it will be done again and again as I have noted school districts, municipalities, etc. have been doing for years. Heck, I even created a scavenger hunt a few years ago for others to document improper flag displays.
Van Hook was a significant figure in Millville’s recent history. He deserves our respect and his family our condolences. Let’s not trample on the American flag whilst our grieving.
Respect
Sunday, November 4th, 2007The first funeral I attended was my great-grandfather‘s. He had been an admiral in the Coast Guard. The funeral took place at Arlington. It was most impressive!
I recall the volley. Wow! I thought it was 17 guns, but a quick research seems to indicate it would have been 19 guns.
The most impressive, to me, part of the event was the folding of the American flag that had draped the coffin. It was crisp. It was sharp. It was silent. Afterwards, the flag was presented to my mother.
There’s been a lot of controversy recently about this issue. At some point, during the flag folding a recitation was added. The recitation seems fine by me, but it is not part of the official military program. I do not believe there was such a recitation during my great-grandfather’s ceremony. Nor do I feel like the service lacked because of it. The official ceremony is impressive as it is.
I find it interesting the things that cause ripples with some.
