A scolding about patriotism prompts a practical solution
Ah, if only the world would work like this a little more often.
Lauren Zannini says she was “heartbroken” when she walked around her Elgin neighborhood Memorial Day weekend an noticed a scarcity of flags adorning homes.
She felt so strongly about this, that it prompted her to write a letter to the editor, decrying the situation, and perhaps motivating people to do better.
“What has happened to our communities?” she wrote. “Do we not care that the men and women of the military have fought and are fighting for our freedom? ... Why not leave the flags out to proudly say we are aware of all they do for us. I recently thanked a Marine for his service and his response — ‘You are worth it.' — brought me to tears.”
We ran the letter, of course, and not uncommonly, it drew a reply.
But, honestly, when people reply to other letter writers, it's usually, at best, to commiserate or express a different point of view; at worst, it's to argue with vigor and vitriol.
This time, though, a reply letter, from Kay Cahill of Roselle, offered not just a sympathetic ear, but a helpful solution.
Memorial Day, Kay wrote, was marked in Roselle with at least 189 3-by-5-foot flags mounted on poles in front yards throughout town. I presume many more did it the old-fashioned way, but the 189 flag displays came about because of the Flags for Roselle Committee chaired by Kay. It's a convenient plan for people who might not have the time, ability or inclination to put up their own flags, but want to make a patriotic gesture. For $40, residents could purchase a flag subscription that guarantees planting of a flag on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. Volunteers install the flags between 7 and 8 a.m. and remove them at dusk. The Roselle Fire Department stores the flags, and the money raised through the program is shared among the Lake Park High School Educational Foundation, Roselle Historical Foundation and the Roselle American Legion Charitable Foundation.
“We are confident this first-of-a-kind program will continue to grow year after year,” Kay wrote. “If Ms. Zannini is interested in initiating such a program in her town, she may contact the Roselle History Museum at rosellehistory@sbcglobal.net for some helpful hints.”
That's exactly what Lauren plans to do, and she also said she'll contact Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain. Despite having no greater a bond than friends and family members who have served, she's on fire about getting people to display our flag.
“Right now,” she told me, “this country needs something; we need an injection of patriotism.”
jdavis@dailyherald.com