MWSAPCA Finalist 6 -- Flag from a Grateful Nation -- John Cathcart

Inspired by IWO – photo by Richard Lowry

Piercing white sun, on a majestic hill.

Was it hot, or was it cold?

Silent sentinels guard the graceful slope.

One spot on the hill has been opened, ready to accept a new tenant.

Proud and Erect.
Apart from the crowd I stand.

Damn the wind! Damn the sun!

They know the truth, and assault my eyes with it.

Proud and Erect.
Over and over, the words are repeated,

as the trees sway and the flags gently ripple.

In the distance, slow salutes and disciplined,

well-practiced movements bring him close.

Did the birds stop singing?
Despite the preparation, the crack of the rifles makes all jump.

The sound enters like a spike into every bone of every body.

The straight arrow flight thunders overhead... one missing.

Proud and Erect.
Finally I have it, the neatly folded triangle.

All blue and white—the red forever hidden inside.

I can wait no longer; this must be done.

Her eyes are strong.
Then, the dreadful words come out:

"This flag is offered by a grateful nation

in memory of the faithful service of your husband."

A tear runs gently down her cheek.

Her eyes are still strong.

Proud and Erect.
Slow salutes and disciplined, well-practiced movements lower him.

The distant, mournful echoes of Taps accompany him on his final trip.

Proud and Erect.
Good-bye Jim!


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Flag Retirement Plaza

I met the most interesting ex-Marine the other day. He contacted me to tell me about a special project he's been working on for several years. It came about when he realized that while there were flag retirement ceremonies, there didn't seem to be a special place where folks could go to dispose of worn flags according to the proper protocol.

He took his idea to Allegheny County and the result is a beautiful spot in South Park near Pittsburgh, PA where folks can come for ceremonial purposes, to leave off worn flags and to sit and contemplate our connection as Americans.

Designed with the help of John Kovach, Jr., a former Marine and sergeant first class in the Pennsylvania National Guard, the hexagonal plaza is surrounded by seven flag poles - one for each branch of the military and one for the American flag - with a burn pit in the center. A deposit box on the site allows visitors to leave soiled, damaged and tattered flags to be incinerated during future ceremonies.

That's me posing with John Kovach and Craig Rizzo, another ex-Marine with two tours in Iraq. We are standing in front of a wall that will one day be covered with a ceramic mozaic. John also dreams of six-foot figurines donated by different people to represent the various services -- as well as memorial flagstones around the hexagon.

For more information, check out "Dawn's Early Light" Flag Retirement Plaza.