Fixing fence is the one of the hardest jobs on a ranch. I no longer live on a ranch, but I do know what hard work is. Fences are everyone's concern, but nowadays,the "hole" is always your neighbor's side not your own. It used to be that you would respect your neighbor and mend the fence together. If their cows got in your field, a simple phone call resolved the problem. You might even saddle up your own horse and help them gather them up. We need more people who are willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the fence regardless of who your neighbor is. There are people in this country who need to be reminded that a fence is like the way you should conduct your life. Your posts should be straight and neat. The wire needs to be stretched tight and your gate might be closed, but can still be easily opened. And most of all, we can all saddle up together and ride the range, it won't matter if you have an Appaloosa, Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred. The cows still have to be gathered, fences have to be fixed, and the range is a wide open space of opportunity for us all.

Saluting Our Independence

Posted Tuesday, July 2, 2013, at 6:26 PM

Taken in 2009 in Pine Idaho.

Nearly every day, we hear about a courageous act of valor carried out by an individual. To most people, who are called a hero, they simply state that they did what they had to do in order to save someone. My heart goes out to those families who recently lost their loved ones in Arizona.

We mourn these young men who found themselves trapped by an unpredictable wildfire. They were part of an elite group of firefighters called Hot Shots. Their names were, Andrew Ashcraft, Robert Caldwell, Travis Carter, Dustin DeFord, Chris Mackenzie, Erick Marsh, Grant McKee, Sean Misner, Scott Norris, Wade Parker, John Percin Jr.,Joe Thurston, Travis Turbyfill, Billy Werneke, Clayton Whitte, Kevin Woyjecka, Garrett Zuppinger, Anthony Rose and Jesse Steed.

I am also paying tribute to our dear friend Joe Howard who passed away a few months ago. He served his country loyally and deserves mention in our salute to Unsung Heroes.

When we stand up to salute the flag, it is our opportunity to reflect upon the sacrifices of our military; our firefighters, policemen and first responders. We acknowledge the dedication of all those who have given their lives for the freedoms of this great nation.

We salute every generation who embraced being an American by tendering their talents and crafts to the very fabric of our country. They were Farmers, Ranchers, Inventors, Industrialists, Mothers & Fathers. Many came over from the old country determined to make a new start in this new and promising land with only the clothes on their back and a burning desire for freedom and a better future for their children.

Our flag has been in many battles. It has been spit upon, burned and defaced, but the colors will never run, because our Nation always comes together when it matters the most.

I consider it a privilege to stand to attention when our American Flag is presented. It is an honor to see Her Bright and Brave Colors go by. By our own example of respect, we can teach the younger generation the importance of our history and the stories of bravery and courage of our forefathers.

America is not without flaws or poor choices, but we have been blessed without measure for over 200 years. How do we begin to repay those sacrifices? Taking a refresher course on American History, Flag Etiquette, and our constitution might be a good place to start. What better place to begin, but with how an American Flag should be treated by individuals?

AMERICAN FLAG ETIQUETTE

(courtesy of USA Flag Site)

1. "The Flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source."

2. "The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use."

3. "The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal."

4. "The flag should never be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on top."

5. "The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard."

6. "The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations."

7. "The flag should never nave any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure or drawing of any kind place on it or attached to it."

8. "The flag should never be used for receiving, holding carrying or delivering anything."

9. "When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously."

10. "The flag should be clean and mended when necessary."

11. "When the flag is so worn it is not longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning it in a dignified manner."

Sigh, I think that I have broken a few of those rules myself.

We will celebrate the 4th of July with parades, family dinners and fireworks on Thursday. Please take a moment to remember the fallen, the wounded warriors and those who are currently in service to our nation.

I am of the opinion that we should never allow our heritage to be trampled upon by unthinking and disrespectful individuals.

Being an American is an honor to me. I love the history and the traditions. I hope that I am as successful in teaching my grandchildren these facts of history and etiquette as my parents and teachers were during my formative years.

Enjoy your celebrations and take care.

Comments

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Thank you Bonnie for your words honoring great people. I knew Joe and I'm so happy and honored that I did. Of course I didn't know those firefighters but I do know their family is right now living in anguish and heart ache. My heart and prayers go out to them

While driving home from Wyoming I saw many many Hot Shots headed out to work tirelessly and we spoke in our vehicle of their bravery, and shared a moment of silence for those passed.

Thanks for the reminder of our flags deserved care, yes, I think I've let it down a few times also. But I do consider it an honor to stand. And to teach my grand children to also honor it

I hope everyone had a Wonderful Independence Day

Jessie

-- Posted by jessiemiller on Sat, Jul 6, 2013, at 7:58 AM
Great refresher.

I remember being taught this in school. It was an honor to be chosen to raise or lower the flag each day. We were taught how to properly fold and show respect fo the flag.

A few years ago I worked for a state agency. One day while taking out some trash I found a number of U.S. flags that had been thrown in the dumpster. What a disgrace! Another employee and I retrieved them, folded them and I have been occasionally donating them to local scout troops when they want to teach how to properly retire a flag. I think I have one or two left. If anyone knows a group who wants to hold a flag retirement ceremony let me know.

When we fail to show respect for the flag, we have also failed in showing respect for all of those who have served this great nation.

Thanks for the reminder.

-- Posted by TundraRat on Mon, Jul 8, 2013, at 9:04 AM
My blogs will be a little slow for the summer. I have been working on the house and sorting things.

Thank you for the comments. I learned a few things too about care for the flag.

-- Posted by KH Gal on Mon, Jul 8, 2013, at 11:44 AM
TundraRat

The American Legion holds a flag burning ceremony every year. They held one a couple weeks ago in Carl Miller park. They burned 500 big flags and about 300 small flags. You can donate the flags to the legion. They plan on putting a donation box outside the War Memorial Hall one of these days.

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Mon, Jul 8, 2013, at 1:03 PM
MSM,

Thanks for the info, I was aware that the American Legion does flag retirement ceremonies from time to time but I have been using these as an oppoutuinty to educate some young people. I've got a couple left and hopefully they can be used to continue educating some young folks.

-- Posted by TundraRat on Wed, Jul 10, 2013, at 8:22 AM

Brenda Fincher, Bus. Mgr., MHNews
We do the same thru the Elks Lodge. It is a very important lesson I think even down to the flames/fire going out on its own and the burying of the ashes. We make sure our grandkids understand the significance of this ceremony and history and tradition. We also have an annual Flag ceremony with all the different flags over the years and a story and quite moving presentation. I have watched this many times over and it still gets me each year. We involve local Girl Scout Troops and to me it is teaching respect as well as it being educational to our youth of today. Thank you too for keeping the lesson alive and going.

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