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By Tom Boggs

Some years back our friend and client, Ronnie Jennings, installed a very large flag pole at our law office, explaining that our firm ought to have it, especially since three of us partners had served in the army.  He would take no pay, but if he knows the pride that very large American flag fluttering in the breeze brings to a lot of folks, not the least of which is this writer, then he is well paid…and appreciated. 

My mind goes back to the Friday Night Fights that my daddy loved to watch when we finally got us one of those black and white television sets several years after he returned from World War II.  When that Star Spangled Banner was played before the match, every one of us in the Boggs household stood at attention there in the confines of our home.  Never will forget it. 

I can actually pre date that TV set as to this subject.  Ma and I visited Daddy at Fort Knox, Kentucky during the war, and it is as clear today as it was to this young mind all that many years ago.  A cannon would fire in preparation for the playing of taps and lowering of the 48 star flag at the afternoon retreat there on post.  Every soldier stopped walking or driving a vehicle, and all stood at attention, rendering the hand salute.  I, in my little soldier suit, did likewise. 

My first visit to an on-post movie theater as a young soldier gave  me a heartfelt thrill when every man, woman and child stood when the National Anthem was played prior to the movie, and quietly took their seats after the rendition of the Anthem. 

I appreciated the opportunity to travel in foreign countries with the military, and what a thrill it was to see Old Glory flapping in the breeze in a far off land.  One of the most beautiful and meaningful sights over there to an American.  My son and grandson have both experienced that thrill while in uniform. 

And then there are times that the flag sends a message without fluttering in the breeze.  That is when it is draped across the coffin of a soldier, sailor, marine, airman or coast guardsman.  As those same taps are played, veterans stand at attention, and render that same hand salute, and hold that salute as the red, white and blue is carefully folded, and handed to the next of kin with thanks from a grateful nation.

There have been no real political columns submitted by this writer since the first one was published on July 7, 1994, but I have not shied away from expressing love and appreciation for what this country has provided for me and my friends and family, as we have lived under that fluttering banner, and I believe that if we lose that respect and appreciation, and that way of life,  one day Americans will sadly look back to what were once “good Old days” under that flag. 

I remember 80 years ago this week when the Germans unconditionally surrendered to the allies on V-E Day, and I thank God that we do still have sufficient breeze to keep that flag flying, although shot through with shell, burned and stomped on.  OUR FLAG IS STILL THERE. 

Tom Boggs is a columnist for the Demopolis Times and a native of Marengo County. His column, “Days Gone Bye,” appears weekly.