Standing tall for the new flag

BONNERS FERRY — Despite a chilly, drizzly fall day, a large crowd gathered for the dedication and raising of the new American Flag in front of the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office at 11 a.m. on Oct. 13.

In Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer’s welcome opening to the crowd, he said, “Our flag is such a symbol of what America stands for, and not only is it an honor to fly the flag at the Sheriff’s Office, but as law enforcement, we stand for one Nation Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

Kramer publicly thanked the generosity of Idaho Forest Group, whose donation provided the new flagpole. He especially thanked Chairman of the Board Marc Brinkmeyer and Regional Manager Chris Pease, then went on to include Plant Controller Suzanne Cullinane, Green End Supervisor Les Love, Purchaser Don Stolley, and Maintenance Planner Andy Howe.

As each name was announced, and Kramer extended a hand in their direction, they garnered much applause from the audience.

Boundary County Chaplain Corps founder Len Pine, then spoke to the crowd. “You have all seen the headlines lately,” he began, “about football players taking a knee, rather than showing respect to our country’s flag and national anthem.”

Pine had the audience’s attention with his very first sentence, as the crowd nodded, faces solemn. He continued, explaining how that anti-flag and anti-anthem supporters defend their actions, by stating that the flag and anthem is all about racial inequality, police brutality, and more.

“This myopic view that defines historical symbols by current events is seen in other areas of life as well,” said Pine, “like tearing down statues and defacing memorials from the past.”

Pine continued to explain the American flag stands as a symbol of national sovereignty. “Thus, the Framers considered the flag they adopted and sought to protect, apart from being merely a patriotic or any other type of symbol, as the visible banner of sovereignty; specifically a sovereignty granted them be a divine authority greater than any other human government.”

Pine supported his statements with a historical perspective, with several narratives concerning James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, and the protection of the flag. In his conclusion, Pine explained, “To put it in practical language: the flag represents the sovereign standing of the nation, a declaration of its right to govern its own citizens without interference from any foreign power. It has nothing to do with individual events that have taken place, or now take place, within the nation, however loudly revolutionaries shout otherwise.”

“When a person dishonors the flag,” Pine continued, “that person is dishonoring the nation itself and its sovereign place in the world.”

Pine indicated to the bare, fresh flagpole, awaiting its flag, and finished with a statement that had the audience exploding in applause, “May the flag that flies from this pole, and the sovereign nation it represents, be ever honored in Boundary County!”

Kramer then called for all veterans in attendance to come forward and form a line, asking that the flag be passed from one to the other, ending with the Border Patrol Explorer Scouts, who would then raise the flag for the first time on the awaiting flagpole.

The long line of veterans that awaited the honor of passing the flag, transformed one by one. Shoulders and backs hunched by age on some of the veterans, suddenly straightened, alluding to the heroes within, as they snapped to salute in a precision that defied the years.

Editor of News Bonner Ferry, Mike Weland, was covering the event when Kramer called for the veterans to form a line. Being a veteran, he joined the line, with some difficulty, leaning heavily on his cane. When he realized what was happening, he tried to leave the line, but Kramer came over and asked for his camera. Even though he relied on his cane to help him stand and move, as the flag was passed to him, the cane dropped from his hands, landing in the wet grass so he could honor the flag with full respect.

The Explorer Scouts received the flag, raising it high to it’s new home outside the Sheriff’s Office. All voices joined as one, as the very first Pledge of Allegiance was recited to the brand new flag.

“I’m grateful for the turnout and that we could have a very proper dedication of the flag today,” said Kramer after the official ceremony drew to a close. “I think it embodies what our community is about.”

“We didn’t have to worry about anyone taking a knee here,” said Kramer, proving that in a troubled time, when athletes and others are choosing to not stand during the national anthem, the people from Boundary County attending this ceremony stood tall.