Mike Moser "I Say" Published Apri 11, 2003

Symbolism of flag in face will mark this war

'Twas red with the blood of freemen
and white with the fear of the foe;
And the stars that fit in their courses
'gainst tyrants its symbols know.
Minna Irving

There is never a review of 9/11 without the image of firefighters from The Fire Department of New York raising the tattered American flag over the rubble and ruins of the World Trade Center.

The image is burned into our mind's eye and forever will be linked to that terrorist attack much like the raising of our flag on Iwo Jima will forever be a major image we link to World War II. A new image has emerged from the thousands of pictures we have seen, born on the streets of downtown Baghdad, and I believe history will put it in its proper place in the parade of historical images that record American history.

War images Wednesday brought us a curious scene in Baghdad, images of Iraqis trying to pull down a statute of Saddam Hussein when some U.S. Marines arrived on the scene.

As the soldiers climbed up the base of the statute to attach a cable, the officer in charge handed up a flag to be displayed. There were two symbolic gestures that occurred at this scene. One thing that struck me was that the U.S. soldiers were helping the Iraqis bring the statute of Saddam down.

And the Iraqis were gladly accepting the help.

Isn't that what this entire war is about?

The second symbolism took place in the same scene, the now-infamous drapping of the American flag on the face of the statute of Saddam. It only lasted for a few moments, but those few moments will forever be ingrained in history.

The flag was flying in the Pentagon on 9/11. It was an "in-your-face," phoenix rising from the ashes type of gesture and, in reality, isn't that what America wanted? I am happy that the American flag was quickly replaced with the Iraqi flag just before the statute was brought down.

In this country Iraqi expatriates poured into the street in an impromptu demonstration of jubilation, waving the American flag. Iraqis in Baghdad were waving the same flag.

Again, we as a country seem to be pretty passive in our nationalism and our love for the flag and all it stands for. Iraqis here have found freedom. Those left behind may have never known freedom. It was refreshing to see others who have never enjoyed the tastes of freedom we take for granted daily pay tribute to Old Glory.

Many Cumberland Countians have played roles in Iraqi Freedom. If for no other reason, let's wave our flags here to pay tribute to our own who have offered up themselves in the name of freedom. And let's not forget that our flag does mean something special to some people in this world.

'Tis fine to see the Old World, and travel up and down
Among the famous palaces and cities of renown
To admire the crumbly castles and the statues of the kings, ­
But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things.
So it's home again, and home again, America for me!
Henry Van Dyke

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Mike Moser is the editor of the Crossville Chronicle. His column is published periodically on Fridays.