Early Memories of Plege of Allegiance

(For June 14, 2023)

You’d think the first vivid memory that’s truly mine - versus those triggered by family stories or photos - would be of the birth of my ornery brother here in Doniphan. A Dr. Johnson delivered Glenn in the hotel/hospital/radio station getting a lot of TLC and Facebook time these days. I was four and a half years old. In my head, though, I’ve never been without him. Six months later we were back in St. Louis in time for me to start school.

My kindergarten teacher Mrs. Engelbritzen and my school on The Hill form the backdrop of page one of my mind’s photo album of focused images. The school was a multi-level red brick building and my classroom was large and light and colorful. Every morning my classmates and I lined up outside our door. Every other class in the K through 8 grades at Shaw Elementary School did the same. All those footsteps on the shiny wood floors quieted quickly as we situated ourselves to face the office at the end of the hall, where a large United States flag stood.

Our voices echoed in that grand hallway as we recited the Pledge of Allegiance to that flag. It is one of the scenes that catches my breath for a millisecond each time it surfaces. If I dwell for a bit on other memories around our flag, the pledge and the national anthem - parades, games, assemblies, Dad standing in a program saluting it with other veterans, funerals and flag cremations - I might get teary-eyed with reverence and pride.

May we continue to honor it, those who served to keep that flag flying and those who still do. Thank you, members of VFW Post 3485, for displaying it in our town, a cause for celebration this sacred Flag Day.