I was first attracted by the surprise of colorful flowers gathered around an abandoned Christmas Tree within the always sort of strange textures and scents I find at the Bena Landfill just outside Bakersfield.
I wanted a photo so I hopped from my friend's truck to get a shot.
I didn't realize in that moment the question many of my photos would ask.
I was compelled to get closer, to see the flowers up close. "They're from a cemetery. Oh, a teddy bear. Oh, these must be from the children's section of the cemetery."
I tugged at a "Happy Birthday!" mylar balloon when I caught sight of an American flag, covered with dirt, right next to the bear and a bright pink flower.
"Oh my gosh," I said. "You aren't supposed to throw flags in the trash!" I remembered the many times I marched in parades where the place of honor was either carrying the American Flag, the Girl Scout flag, or standing alongside the girls with the flags.
We revered the flag so much that we shared what we knew was true: if you accidentally made the flag touch the ground, you must kiss it fifty times. The thought of flags being tossed into a garbage dump amidst the stench and mess caused my little girl self AND my grown woman self to feel sick to her stomach.
Before you think I am a tea partier or a crazed right wing Republican, know I am neither of those.
I am a voting mother of three who is not registered with a major party because they both disappoint me. They are more alike than they are different.
I regularly express my right, as an American, to free speech. I have been known to stand on street corners with my children to bring light to issues which are important to me. I explain to my children how lucky we are to be able to gather, be able to speak up publicly. I tell them how the Constitution protects these rights.
AND my heart did a flip flop when I saw this sight: several flags amidst flowers, balloons and stuffed toys. I remembered how during this past year I have seen freedom of speech pounced upon, how often Americans have been turned against other Americans.
We all want positive change. Our flag is what unites us.
This desire for public change and the willingness to put ourselves into uncomfortable situations ~ courageous situations ~ is because we are American. We do these things standing on the shoulders of many patriots and the values shared by our forefathers and mothers.
Our flag is the symbol of what unites us.
I wondered who had just left this pile of flowers, balloons, teddy bears and yes, many more than one American flag. In this small spot, I can see 4 American flags. I imagine if I went deeper into the pile I would uncover even more.
How difficult would it be for the staff at a cemetery to separate the flags from the other grave ornaments and dispose of them properly? I googled to find out what the rules actually are, and found this explanation.
Until today I never thought much about how cemetery flags were disposed.
Sometimes it takes getting nose to nose with a huge pile of trash and discovering your flag amidst the rubble to wake up.
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© 2011
Julie Jordan Scott
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