 Over the Holidays, different cultures combined as one around the flag. This portrait of a storefront shows the blending of the two behind the flag, and the importance of unity against Terrorism. If we should have learned one lesson from Nine Eleven, it was that the color of red in our flag is the color of all our blood--all outside differences matter least in times when our Freedom and Security is threatened. Vigilance and Vigilance alone will keep that blend constant, but Complacency will dye it many different colors until it can't be recognized as one Nation indivisible, but only by its parts and their divisiveness. |
One of my favorite scenes was and is the U.S. flag flying over vegetable stands on the streets. Vendors, usually from many varied countries, come to America with a dream of building wealth. Many start on the streets and rise up, all because the American Flag represents Free Enterprise at its best. |
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In any city in America one store is a man's best friend. In NYC, it's Ace Hardware on 1st Avenue in the East Village. I frequent the store. Just about every ethnic culture is represented by its employees, and an esprit de corps exists where the customer is concerned. The employees and owners were one of the first to fly the flag after 9-11, a reminder to us all that the tools of Vigilance must be kept sharp and handy. Terrorism's attempt to tear down our society and our faith in our flag can only be stopped if we grab a hammer and nails and rebuild ourselves from the inside out. If Vigilance is our hammer, let it drive the nail of Complacency so deep it can never be removed. You get that hammer at Ace Hardware. |
 This Episcopal Church flew a special flag during Nine Eleven. To me, it symbolizes independence from religious domination--a separation of Church and State--which America's founders found a necessity for Freedom to exist. I assumed the decision to fly the "76" flag was the Church's message of Vigilance. It reminds us all that we must fight to maintain our rights of civil as well as religious freedom, and that to become Complacent or Righteous will destroy the delicate balance of Freedom. |
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