OUR TOWN (A WCHLCommentary)

Most may remember the old story about the stranger who arrives in town and asks a resident to tell him what kind of town it is.  The resident ask the stranger to tell him about the town he came from and the stranger replies, well people aren’t friendly, the gossip about each other, rarely take the time to listen to each other or work together in harmony.  The resident tells the stranger that the town is just like the one he came from.  The stranger thanks him and departs shaking his head.   

A few days later, another stranger asks the resident the same think and again, the resident asks the stranger to describe the town he’s from.  The strange says, well my town is full of warm and friendly people who come together to help each other, work hard to address their challenges together, and are as civil as any people you’ve ever met.   The resident tells the stranger that the town is just like the one he came from and the stranger goes away smiling.   

All during the public input phase of Chapel Hill 2020, it was possible to hear a variety of descriptions of our town.  And as the story illustrates, what exists in reality usually isn’t one end of the spectrum or the other.  The more that we are all involved in the life of our community, the more likely we will be able to tell a stranger who we are and what we are like.  Let’s be involved in helping to make our community what we would like it to be. 

OUR FLAG (A WCHL Commentary)

Today, June 14^th is Flag Day.  It’s not a Federal holiday but a special day none the less.  In a time in our nation’s history where people wrap themselves in the flag as a way to advance their agenda, the importance of our flag can get lost in that kind of posturing.  Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14^th, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.   

The first public proposal for a Flag Day was made in the June 1886 when, Bernard Cigrand wrote his articles, “the fourteenth of June” emphasizing the need for an observance of a national Flag Day. His efforts finally paid off when the President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation in 1916 that recognized June 14 as Flag Day.  But it was in August 1949 when this day became official for the very first time when the President Harry Truman signed the legislation passed by Congress declared June 14 as Flag Day.  In some communities, parades are held in honor of Flag Day and some communities place emphasis on the proper display and treatment of our flag.   

The great George Cohen honored the flag in song, so on Flag Day it’s good to remember his words:

You're a grand old flag,

You're a high flying flag

And forever in peace may you wave.

You're the emblem of

The land I love.

The home of the free and the brave.

Let’s honor our flag everyday!