A glorious memory of our flag

A male radio voice still echoes in my memory after 32 years.

Immediately following America's bicentennial celebration, a witty commentator whose name escapes me described a bit about a man with a government job who ran 10,471 American flags up the pole at the U.S. Capitol on July 4, 1976, setting the single-day record.

Does anybody else remember that moment in broadcast history?

Back then, members of Congress submitted thousands of requests from constituents for American flags to be flown over the Capitol on the 200th birthday of America's independence.

Stuck in my imagination are vivid pictures of some busy guy hooking up a flag, raising it to the top of the flagpole, letting it wave freely for a few seconds, lowering it, unhooking it and handing it off to assistants.

In my vision, pairs of helpers then folded each flag in half once lengthwise, folded it lengthwise again, and then folded it 13 times into the triangle that is proper etiquette for storing the American flag.

Then he started all over again, all day, all night, on Independence Day 1976.

I relay this story the way I've amused mostly myself by recounting it many times this past year, tying it to my thoughts that it was high time for a similar activity to occur at Moser Tower.

I've climbed to the 140-foot-high observation deck at least a dozen times. Every time I've seen a different view, some more spectacular than others. And every time I've listened while other tourists expressed enthusiastic surprise at their discoveries in the distance.

Last July, I imagined thousands of families would flock to Rotary Hill for the historic grand opening of Moser Tower.

I even went so far as to envision visitors lined up, winding all along the Riverwalk waiting patiently to ascend via the elevator then by staircase to the observation deck. I could just hear the guides racing through the heartwarming stories attached to the 72 commemorative bells, trying to turn tours quickly so everyone in line could enter.

Up and down. Up and down. $3 a tour.

Though glorious sunshine illuminated Moser Tower on opening day, July 29, 2007, it was too stifling to stand in line.

Perhaps my dream will come true another day.

(As an aside, after graduation from college in 2001, my daughter worked for the 13th Congressional District. Coincidentally, one of her responsibilities was to accept orders for flags that had flown over the U.S. Capitol! Today, several designated flagpoles help meet the demand to fill constituents' requests and each flag comes with a certificate documenting the date. If you want to purchase one, contact your Congressman for an order form.)

Flags to fireworks

Ever since the inaugural concert with the Municipal Band on June 29, 2000, Independence Day has been connected with the Millennium Carillon and Moser Tower - and a heightened association came after a recent conversation with Chuck Seidel.

Bell enthusiast Seidel, who serves on the Millennium Carillon Foundation, said his group is collaborating on a fundraiser with the Exchange Club of Naperville.

Exchange Club hosts Ribfest July 3-6 with fireworks on July 4. The service club also is known for distributing American flags at parades and events.

Fireworks fans are invited to purchase chances to watch the spectacular Ribfest fireworks from the Moser Tower observation deck.

Raffle tickets are $10 each and available at the Naperville Park District administration building, 320 W. Jackson Ave., and at today's Millennium Carillon recital that begins at 7 p.m.

First prize includes 10 Ribfest tickets, a reserved parking spot and 10 seats on the observation deck; second prize is six Ribfest tickets with parking and six seats; third prize is four Ribfest tickets, parking and four seats.

You don't have to be present to win. Mayor George Pradel will draw the winners at 7:30 p.m.

Final appeal

I got to thinking about our city's cultural diversity in the above-mentioned collaboration alone. From classical music performed during carillon concerts to rock 'n' roll staged at Ribfest, our events whet the appetite for different tastes.

Further, no matter how you view either venue, they've both put Naperville prominently on the global music scene, showcasing the volunteer spirit that's a big part of our culture, too.

Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville on Tuesdays in Neighbor. Contact her at spennydh@aol.com.