Flag Day

I went to the bank today. It was just before noon, and they were in the process of closing.

This is a good bank.

They're a local group, not one of the faceless megabanks we all know and loathe. Their lobbies reflect the seafaring heritage of this area, with decor of authentic, vintage ships binnacles, ships wheels, accurate half-hulls on the wall, and some of the finest framed canvases of the art of the sea you'll find this side of a prestigious museum.

A quiet dignity prevades the building. Not the artificial sense of wealth and exclusion of a consultant/designer/decorater appointed McLobby. No, this is a place that respects money hard-earned, and those who labored to earn it.

Quite a few young people work there. Or, I'm just the old fart flirting with the twenty-something at the teller's window. Regardless, there's an energy and enthusiasm there that I wish I could bottle and sell. It's not an over-the-top, rah-rah kind of thing. I doubt this crew has ever had to suffer though a corporate teambuidling excerise, either.

After I'd completed my transaction, I was about to leave the lobby when I noticed a young employee folding three flags he'd taken down from the flagpole in front of the bank. This kid couldn't have been more than nineteen, but he wasn't the typical teen-slacker type at all. A sharp crew cut, almost Marine Corps in it's precision, his polo shirt had creases on which shaving would be a safe option. Dockers perfectly gigged to his shirt, I pegged him as at least an R.O.T.C. type, or perhaps a kid waiting for admission to Texas A&M.

But he was lost with those flags.

They were lying on the lobby sofa, in halves and in squares. He was so folding a small American flag when I quietly walked over, and asked him if he needed help in properly folding that precious banner. He didn't quite know what I meant, and that's when I knew, and my heart fell.

Gently taking charge, I instructed him to hold the field end of the flag, firmly and tautly extended. Following my words and moves, he folded the banner as I directed, and he watched in amazement as I walked towards him, lovingly cornering that flag, triangle by triangle until we were hand-to-hand at the final tuck.

I held that tricorned flag with it's pocket barely opened, and talked him through how to tuck the final bit into itself to form a perfect tricorned presentation.

As we made that final told and tuck, I asked him to remember the veterans and their families who see him take that flag down every day. I told him what it means to us to see our flag receieve the honor it deserves. And I thanked him for his patience as I taught him to render this honor.

Going back to my car, it was another ten minutes before I could see clearly to drive back to work.

The next time you see that kid in your town having trouble with the Flag of the United States of America, take a moment and go help. He will never forget that lesson.

And neither will you.

Comments

[Bob Baird]

As a retired teacher as well as a Marine I'd like to thank you for helping that boy. You do good work.

Bob

[Indigo]

That was a beautiful thing for you to do. And you're right. He'll never forget it.

[Juliette]

Teach the children well, darling.

[Seppo]

Time well spent, indeed. A flag burned in protest is one thing; a flag neglected through ignorance is quite another.

"creases upon which shaving would be a safe option" -- brilliant!

[Ms Anna]

Now, Jim, please go back to the bank, speak nicely to the Bank Manager about how you were able to help the young man on Saturday, but he needs someone to help hold and fold the flags, each day. Perhaps the Bank Manager needs to see just how it is suppose to be done? While you're at it, demonstrate how to hang and raise that same flag from the folded position, correctly. I don't know, myself.

[Sam]

Isn’t it great to be a Patriot?

[Anne]

Good job, Jim.

[Dana Matthies]

Thank you for showing respect and honor to our country...and to our flag. It seems that so many have forgotten....

[Sherry]

It's not just for kids, I stopped and helped an old man working at a vet memorial once. I thought the flag was going to touch the ground with all the wind. At least that day it was put away proper. Thanks for the reminder.

[Denita TwoDragons]

It's embarassing to admit, but I only learned about proper folding and care of the American Flag from my ex-Boy Scout husband; and only after I'd finally managed to purge the last of my Leftist taint from my mind. So I've only known how to do it for a couple of years. Now I'm making up for that--in spades.

You are a good man, to show that kid how to do it the right way. It's sad that there aren't that many people who know how to treat the Flag now. I've gotten to the point where I get outraged when I see a tattered and shabby Old Glory fluttering on a pole. I've been known to go into establishments and give 'em a piece of my mind about it!

--TwoDragons

[Brenda]

I surfed over from Indigo's site. What an inspiring post! I remember when everyone knew the proper way to fold a flag and it is sad that we've lost the way and not shared this respect with our kids.

[Terry Reynolds]

Dear Jim - As one of your first readers, via Acidman, I just saw you at BejusPundit and here is what I sent to him , (have to paraphrase myself "cuz I didn't copy and paste), "Would have written sooner, (I read this post 10 minutes ago), but my glasses seem to have fogged up and it took me this long to see the screen again. Beautiful story. Thank you. Regards, Terry Reynolds

[dragonfly jenny]

When I find myself down in your neck o'the coast, will you show me the proper flag-folding technique too? I'm ashamed to say I never learned!

[Valerie]

Had to come back today and re-read this. It really
lifited my spirits. The week of insanity. The week that started with a boob by the name of Kid Rock parading around in a flag to the finding of a precious little child's body.

Thantk you for writing this Jim. It is the quiet little things that help cope with the big abrasive ones.

Many, many thanks. Should I head south with the family to dip our toes in the Gulf, please let us treat you to dinner and beverage of your choice.

[Da Goddess]

I'm still amazed that people don't know how to fold a flag....and even more heartened when they're willing to learn from a kind stranger like you.