We vacationed in Cape Cod, and as I have previously mentioned my sister and brother in law allowed us use of their house. It is a very pretty location. While there, we often go out and about and see the small villages. One evening, my wife and daughter wanted to ride over to the Chatham Lighthouse to see the sea below the bluff. We were late in the day. Across from the lighthouse is a parking area where you can look out to sea. It is a popular spot. I chose to walk across the street to the fence that surrounds the Coast Guard Station. Parked on the lawn is an old motorized life boat, self righting and self bailing, as I read the sign describing the boat, the sun was dropping.
A clear evening was coming up as the sun was sinking , and suddenly I heard music coming from near the buildings, as I looked over two Coast Guardsmen came out for the flag ceremony. They quickly brought the flag down to coincide with the music. I stood at attention, as did my daughter to my left. At the conclusion I turned to my right and there was a gentleman standing there. His hat was over his heart,as I turned about I saw people across the street had stopped their picture taking and ocean watching and had come to attention at the sight of the colors being taken down. It was not a national holiday, a big important event. It was simply the close of another day at a Coast Guard base, Chatham Station.
I thought this is a strange juxtaposition to the protest taking place in NFL Stadiums around the country. A handful of people, probably less than 50 with out any pre planning or notice had come to attention to watch the Flag come down at twilights last gleaming. Nobody was taking a knee, no body was chanting, all you picked up was a feeling of respect, it was simple and it was moving . It wasn't like a high school football or basketball game somewhere in the country where people do not even stop talking for a minute. This was fifty or so people who stood stock still and silent facing the flag with hands over heart as the flag came down with To the Colors sounding . There are moments in life that are reverential and this was one for me. I fully understand the issue in protest and the right to do so, but I am left wondering if the protest is misplaced and what is really needed is some self examination within the offended community.I like to believe that ours is among the best countries in the world in which to live and I do believe that there is a reason for that. I think we had people who knew that there was importance to work and creativity and effort. They did not expect things to be given them or things to be handed them and they made the country . They were also the types of persons who understood some of what all went into making this country this way. Some who came before us made enormous sacrifice.
As I get older, I sometimes think it sad that those who follow will not enjoy the same type of opportunity .And they will surely lose the reverential feeling for country. Things change and not always for the better. I fall into that category of person who thinks the nation is not heading in a right direction. But on that one night there was a certain respect of nation and of flag that I probably will never experience again.
Later in the week I looked about and in the most liberal of liberal minded states, I saw the Flag on display in many areas, on homes , businesses and town halls. I also read the paper and coming through loud and clear was the absolute love of country that these people have. Their politics are different , but I dare say that their love of nation is unmatched.
Where had we gone astray, I really don't know but in my heart of hearts I believe it was when politicians stopped mistaking care for the people with pandering to them. When that happened politicians began promising things that no one should expect. This is America you still have to work for them.
Where we have remained right is at places like this. Later in the week I bought a book , "The Finest Hours " The title of this blurb , 36500, is taken from the story of Coast Guard Life Boat 36500, which has been restored and is moored in a nearby village of Orleans, but did launch from Chatham Station to perform an extraordinary rescue. There certainly were more than just this life boat involved and I would recommend anyone to this story. A movie is being made, but they always seem to miss some of the background. So on reflection, there is a lot of what is still right here at home, not the least of which is the respect that people showed at flag lowering on a late summer evening in 2016. Read the story.