A Cassette Tape And A Funk Box

I thought that I was going to let the fourth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks pass without mention today. In light of the well thought out commentary of my fellow bloggers and the other media tributes, I just didn’t see how I could add anything of value to the dialogue.

A couple of things struck me out of the blue today that caused me to realize how the public’s patriotism has waned and how my own personal patriotism has changed over the past nine or so years, with the 9//11 attacks being part of that same transformation. Most of these changes involve my showing public respect for the symbols of our Republic—the display of the flag and participation in public flag ceremonies

Today I found myself stealing the American flag that normally flies on the flagpole adjacent to our Condo swimming pool. OK, I didn’t really steal it, but I lowered it on the pole and removed it because it has flown day and night for at least a year and it is in tatters—it should have been replaced three or four months ago.

As is usual in a Condo Association, no one but me was apparently paying any attention—I suppose that they’ll have to form a committee or something now. Flying or otherwise displaying the flag in an improper manner makes me crazy—so sue me, you know? I’m calling the management company tomorrow and telling them that I’m holding it (the old flag) hostage until a new flag is purchased and displayed on the pole.

As a kid in the Cub Scouts I learned to handle the American flag that flew on the flagpole outside our elementary school each day, participating in the honor guard several days each month during the school year. I hate to say it, but even in the 1960’s there was a certain amount of public “snickering and disrespect” present among of all people—young school children—that didn’t know any better because in spite of the rituals taught in school (the Pledge of Allegience, the National Anthem, etc) the children’s bone headed parents chose to live and enjoy the freedoms inherent in being a US citizen while thumbing their nose at the symbols of our society. In a free society, that is their right and their choice. So be it.

Since those days I’m sure that we’ve all noticed varying degrees of participation and respect at events like public football games and other sporting events, the ultimate level of patriotism evident in the year immediate following the 9/11 attacks when every head was uncovered (hats off) and you could hear a pin drop during the prayers, and you couldn’t hear yourself over the other spirited voices singing the National Anthem.

In those days following the attacks, practically every automobile had a little American Flag sticker on it and every lawn had flags flying. Of course there were groups like the ACLU and private idiots that had to show their contempt for other peoples’ rights by vandalizing flag displays. Somehow the loudest protesters don’t see rights to expression as being possessed on both sides of a given issue.

Nothing pisses me off more than for some moron to stay sitting in their seat with their ball cap screwed tightly on top of their pointy head, never pausing from talking and eating boiled peanuts while the majority of the crowd at least silently respects the prayer and flag ceremony. Of course, being the free country that we are, it’s their choice. It doesn’t keep me from glaring at the back of their stupid head—“Oh my, I’m so sorry that I spilled that cup of warm beer on you sir…”

I played the trumpet when I was in High School and had the opportunity to participate in Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans’ Day events where they needed someone to play taps. It’s amazing how hard it is to play a song consisting of only four notes when one hundred or more eyeballs are staring at you and your horn.

The really sad thing, for those of you that haven’t attended a veterans’ funeral in the past ten years, is that there are not enough military trumpet players to go around. Instead of an honor guard with a real live trumpet player like we all saw on todays televised 9/11 memorials, the military has had to resort to sending ordinary families holding a funeral two or three uniformed soldiers and a CASSETTE TAPE OF TAPS TO BE PLAYED ON A FUNK BOX.

You heard me right—a cassette tape and a funk box.

Somehow that just doesn’t seem right…