06/16/06 Flag Day & Father`s Day

Flag Day and Father's Day. More than dates on a calendar. I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. Driving around our town on Flag Day I was struck by the lack of flags being displayed. The local newspaper and at least one radio station briefly mentioned it. What has happened? It seems Patriotism ebbs and flows like the tides. Our military actions abroad are not popular. We have become desensitized to what our troops are involved in each and every minute on foreign soil. Flying a flag is one small way you can show your support. Even if you disagree with our politicians and government decision makers displaying the American Flag shows you still believe in what being an American stands for. The United States Congress has dedicated the period from Flag Day through July 4th as "21 Days to Honor America." The goal is to see authentic reproductions of the historic Star-Spangled Banner Flag fly on all government, business, civic and service organizations and private flagpoles during this 21 day period. In 1916, Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Recently our son joined the U.S. Navy to follow in his father's footsteps. It's a bittersweet time since this Sunday is also Father's Day. He has only been in boot camp about 2 weeks so his presence around the house is still being missed and so this will be a hard Father's Day for me. But I am proud, very proud on several different fronts. I'm proud of the time I spend in the Navy. I'm proud to be associated with American farmers. I'm proud of my flag and being an American. And I am proud of my son's decision to serve his country. So here is my wish for this Father's Day. Find that flag you have in the hall closet and get it out this weekend. If you don't have, get one. Even a small one will do. Make a point of thanking your father for bring who he is. Especially if he's a vet. Thank a vet. Thank your local law enforcement and thank a farmer. These are the people that work hard to protect, serve and feed all of us. That's my wish. That each one of us would say thanks. At least for me, it's appropriate that Flag Day is next to Father's Day. I for one will not only celebrate Flag Day each year on June 14, but each and every day of the year. Happy Flag Day and Happy Father's Day. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.