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Too close for comfort; A World Tragedy that was not just localSep 26 '01 (Updated Oct 03 '01) Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Love each other. Don't take anyone for granted. Life is too short. What else is there to say. I would like to add an apology here to those that lost their loved ones in Washington and on the planes. I have been so involved in what is happening here in NYC that you lose sight of the other victims. We must also honor the Flight Attendant's and Pilots. Thanks to SWEETSUE_98. Who enlightened me in her fantastic editorial. She also points out that many flight attendants lost their jobs as did many in other fields. My thoughts and prayers to all. This is long, as I have include FAQ's regarding Flag etiquette. I ask you to please be patient however, as I have also included a prayer that my fiance has written that I believe is worth reading and using. Living here in NYC, I have also included some personal items and how I feel we can help, having been and being so close to this tragedy. Not a day goes by that we are not with people directly impacted by it. Whether is is a loved one who survived, a loved one who lost someone, or a member of the rescue team, there is no escaping the deep rooted sadness that I fear may never go away. I am prouder than ever, not only of my fellow New Yorker's but also of my fellow American's who have risen to the occasion as only American's can. On Thursday September 13, two days after our lives changed forever, I was helping to distribute flyers announcing a candlelight vigil that was to be held at The American Legion’s Theodore Korony Post #253 in the Bronx. As we pulled into the circle at the entrance to one of the smaller communities, we were very pleased to see a group of older teens proudly waving large American Flags. We were so happy to see the youth of our community so eagerly displaying their colors. We asked them where they got the flags when they had already become so scarce. Their reply was, “Where there are no flags to be found.” I did not get it at the time. We told them about our vigil and they asked for our flyers. They seemed genuinely interested in attending and asked several questions. We gave them all but one of the flyers and asked them to make sure that they were distributed and not thrown away. They promised and we left. As we posted our last flyer across from the local Shell gas station, we noticed that two of the workers from that station were taking in a couple of flags that had been beautifully placed at the entrances. What happened to the rest of them? We knew we had seen many more. It suddenly occurred to us that the flags that we had seen moments earlier were robbed from that station! We were appalled. To make matters worse, at the same time, a red convertible drove by with a one of those stolen flags attached to its antenna and another hanging out of the trunk dragging on the pavement. To date, I have not stopped thinking about that incident. I wanted to report it to the police immediately but decided to first speak to the owner of the Shell gas station. The flags were indeed stolen from there. I did learn however, that a police officer did retrieve one and returned it to the station. I am sorry to say that when we did drive back into that small community later on that night, the flyers were crumbled into balls and thrown onto the ground. Because of this incident and because of the rebirth and renewed interest in the display of Old Glory, I would like to remind everybody that there is flag etiquette that must be followed. We have received many phone calls on this subject and thought that it would be beneficial to share frequently asked questions that we have obtained from our National Website located at: http://www.legion.org/americanism/flagfaqs.htm. Q: Can a flag that has been used to cover a casket be displayed after its original use? A: There are no provisions in the Flag Code to suggest otherwise. It would be a fitting tribute to the memory of the deceased veteran and their service to a grateful nation if their casket flag were to be displayed. Q: Can the United States flag be displayed on days when the weather is inclement? A: The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather (nylon or other non-absorbent material) flag is displayed. However, most flags are made of all weather materials. (Ref Flag Code 6(c)) Q: What is the significance of displaying the flag at half-staff? A: This gesture is a sign to indicate the nation mourns the death of a(an)individual(s), such as death of the President or former President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justice, member of Congress, Secretary of an executive or military department, etc. Only the President of the United States or the Governor of the State may order the flag to be half-staffed. The honor and reverence accorded this solemn act is quickly becoming eroded by those individuals and agencies that display the flag at half-staff on inappropriate occasions without proper authority to do so. (Ref: Flag Code 7(m)) Q: When the flag is not flown from a staff, how should it be displayed? A: It should be displayed vertically, whether indoors or out and suspended so that its folds fall free as though the flag were staffed. The stripes may be displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right; that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window of a home or a place of business, the flag should be displayed in the same way; that is, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. (Ref Flag Code 7(i)) Q: How are unserviceable flags destroyed? A: The Flag Code suggests that, "when a flag has served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning." For individual citizens, this should be done discreetly so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration. Many American Legion Posts conduct Disposal of Unserviceable Flag Ceremonies on June 14, Flag Day. This ceremony creates a particularly dignified and solemn occasion for the retirement of unserviceable flags. (Ref: Flag Code 8(k)) Q: Can the flag be washed or dry-cleaned? A: Yes. There are no provisions of the Flag Code which prohibit such care. The decision to wash or dry-clean would be dependent on the material. Q: Are you required to destroy the flag if it touches the ground? A: Flag Code section 176b states that the flag should not touch anything beneath it such as the ground. This is stated to indicate that care should be exercised in the handling of the flag, to protect it from becoming soiled or damaged. You ARE NOT required to destroy the flag when this happens. As long as the flag remains suitable for display, even if washing or dry-cleaning (which is acceptable practice) is required, you may continue to display the flag as a symbol of our great country. (Ref: Flag Code 8(b)) Q: What is the proper method for folding the flag? A: The Flag Code does not require any specific method. There is however, a tradition that has developed over time. This method produces a triangular shaped form like that of a three-corner hat with only the blue union showing. There is a diagram available on Folding the Flag that lists the steps involved. Q: May a person, other than a veteran, have their casket draped with the flag of the United States? A: Yes, although this honor is usually reserved for veterans or highly regarded state and national figures, the Flag Code does not prohibit this use. Q: What is the significance of the gold fringe, which we see on some American flags? A: Records indicate that fringe was first used on the flag as early as 1835. It was not until 1895 it was officially added to the National flag for all regiments of the Army. For civilian use, fringe is not required as an integral part of the flag, nor can its use be said to constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute. It is considered that fringe is used as an honorable enrichment only. Q: What is meant by the flag's own right? A: The "right" as the position of honor developed from the time when the "right hand" was the "weapon hand" or "point of danger." The right hand, raised without a weapon, was a sign of peace. The right hand, to any observer, is the observer's left. Therefore, as used in the Flag Code, the flag and/or blue field is displayed to the left of the observer, which is the flag's "own right." (Ref: Flag Code 7(d), (i) Q: Is it proper to fly the flag of the United States at night? A: The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. (Ref: Flag Code 6(a)) The American Legion interprets "proper illumination" as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer. Q: What does it mean when the flag is not flying above the White House? A: The flag is flown over the White House when the President is in Washington, D.C. It is not displayed when the President is not in Washington, D.C. Q: What should be the position of the flag when displayed from a staff in a church, public auditorium or other public meeting place, whether indoors or outdoors, on platform, or on the floor at ground level? A: When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church, public auditorium or meeting place, the flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Prior to the Flag Code changes in 1976, the display procedure was somewhat different. Now the staffed flag should always be placed to the right of the speaker (observer's left) without regard to a platform or floor level. (Ref: Flag Code 7 (k)) Q: What are the penalties for the physical desecration of the flag? A: There are currently no penalties for the physical desecration of the flag. The American Legion and other members of the Citizens Flag Alliance continue working towards securing a Constitutional amendment to protect the flag from physical desecration. Following the above noted flag etiquette rules is one thing that each an everyone of us can do. Clearly, after what I experienced regarding the stolen flags, please teach your children well and monitor their activities. I mentioned that we had a candlelight vigil in our community. That is certainly something that can be held anywhere. In our case it was perhaps a little more personal since our community was hard struck. Many were lost that day. Some were member’s children. Some were close, life-long friends who lost husbands and wives. Most were firemen, policemen and EMT workers that live in our community. Several worked for one of the many companies housed in the WTC. Every day, we learn of another. Write your own prayer or feel free to use the following written by my fiance Tom Murray. As we light these candles of hope, we are joined by hundreds of thousands of Americans across this great Nation and throughout the World, as a physical reminder that we as Americans can never be broken. This Nation was born of pain and tragedy, but it is the love for each other and the love of this Country that gives us the strength to bear this pain. The glow from each candle is the glow of hope for the souls of those that our Lord God has chosen – not - to bring home with him. It is only when they are found that our brave men and women who slave day and night for their recovery, may rest. The warmth from each candle is that of Angel’s Wings as they comfort those souls that God has chosen to take with him into the heavens. At the end of this vigil, as we extinguish each flame, it is in that moment of darkness that we ask our Lord to give strength to our leaders, so that they may swiftly and permanently destroy the evil that has cured this pain. Amen I am happy to say that we also had many who survived. My niece was one. Though physically unharmed for the most part, the emotional scars may never heal. She was fortunate to have an ex Navy Seal as a co-worker, who helped all of her company, evacuate safely. I am also happy to report that my beloved company Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield which after tremendous downsizing, relocated to the South Tower, reports that most of its 1900 employees survived. A few are in the hospital with severe burns. 9 lost their lives. You may have seen on television or read about Ed and Abe. They were two best friends who were Computer Programmer's on the 27th floor. Abe would not leave Ed's side. Ed was a paraplegic, paralyzed from the neck down. His nurse Irma could not breathe properly so Ed urged her to leave and get help. The fireman that she sent perished with Ed and Abe when the building collapsed. I worked very closely over the years with two of the others that we lost from Empire, Angela and Cynthia. They were both magnificent human beings. In the near 30 years that I worked there, I never saw either of them in a bad mood. They were kind and caring people. Pray for all that lost their lives. Pray for their families and friends. If you have the opportunity to visit NY, please do so. We cannot give into the fear and destruction that these animals wanted to create. Don't be afraid to visit our museums, restaurant's and theaters. Pray for our soldiers and for their safe return. Pray for the rescue teams,that they may soon resume normal lives with their loves ones after the horrific conditions that they have been working in. Pray that they do not have any long term damage from ingesting the toxic fumes emitted from what they now refer to as the "pile." My brother-in-law is one of those firemen who have been clawing with their bare hands each day. Take time to spend with your loved ones. Change your priorities! Life is too short. Hug a veteran, fireman, policeman, and EMT worker. Never take them for granted. Put aside your prejudice and know that there are more good than bad. Don't attack innocent people because they look different. This is America. Don't forget what and who we are. Never forget September 11th, 2001. Each year, hold a candlelight vigil for the victims. Support your local legislators and get flags back into our classrooms. It was appalling to see how many of our children did not know the words to our patriotic songs. Talk to their teachers and principals. If you know of any family members who have lost loves ones, you may contact your Representative from the House of Representatives. They can receive a flag at no cost that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol. Accompanied with the flag will be a certificate expressing the regrets of Congress, signed by the Speaker of The House and their Representative. Last but not least I would like to urge all writers to pledge their next check to a local organization that is collecting for the victims of this tragedy. Peace and comfort to all!  |
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