Memorial Day tribute - 2011

This is the only unofficial historical flag display in Bessemer.

Each year on particular patriotic holidays we display our historic flag collection. You will see these for 3 or 4 days, then in June, another flag goes up. The historic flags may be displayed again in July.



Memorial Day was first observed following the Civil War, and there are multiple stories regarding its origin. However, a Memorial Day web site says this:

It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

And even though the holiday was first observed in 1866 or so, I honor all of those who died in service to our country from every war. I add flags that were flown during wars, and this collection is not complete, I guess.

The first flag represented the 13 colonies, thus had 13 stars. There were several versions, and the Betsy Ross flag is the most popular. This flag was sewn in 1776 (well, not this one, but one of the same design). I fly this flag to honor the Revolutionary War dead.



The "Star Spangled Banner" with 15 stars, inspired our National Anthem. It flew over Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812. This flags honors those who died during that war.



This flag is new to our collection. It has 20 stars, aligned in the shape of a star. By 1818 there were 20 states, and several designs with 20 stars were considered. It was called the Grand Star flag.

The U. S. was not at war during that time, but I do know that the U. S. Navy naval units were raiding slave traffic pursuant to the 1819 Act of Congress. I don't know that any seamen were killed during those raids, so let's let this flag honor all servicemen and women who died during non-war skirmishes and battles and such.



Next we fly a flag that was flown during the Civil War. This flag has 34 stars, that is the number of states including those which thought they could leave the union. This flag honors all, Northern and Southern, soldiers who died during that was.



Here is a flag with 48 stars that flew during World War II, when my dad fought in both Europe and the Pacific. This flag honors those who died during the Great War, as well as WWI and the Spanish American War since I don't have flags representing those wars yet.



And this is our current flag, with 50 stars. This flag flew during the Vietnam War, and the Iraq Wars and the Afghanistan War. I think we've had enough wars under this flag. This flag honors the dead from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The black mourning ribbon hanging from the flag mast is in place of flying a flag like this at half staff, since that is impossible.



This flag is out of order. It is the Bennington Flag, and could have been flown in 1777, but most historians date this flag between 1820 and 1830. Since we don't know, I placed it at the end, to represent those who will die in future wars while protecting our freedom. It is a fairly recognizable flag to have such an unsure past.

I also like having an unusual flag at the end, since that is the flag many will see as they drive by.


Remember those who have died securing and protecting our freedom.

Happy Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, think about what our men and women have died for. Isn't it for the rights and liberties that we all enjoy?

Well, most of us.

13 Love Stories tells the stories of 13 gay or lesbian couples who have not been able to enjoy the same rights as others in our country.

Here are Travis and Greg.



There are other stories, too. Watch Leona and Grace



OK, one more. I can't put all 13 on here, but you can watch them from the link.

Cas and Ricky.




From the website of the California Supreme Court:

The California Supreme Court has announced that it will issue an opinion in three cases challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8 at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. (Strauss v. Horton, S168047; Tyler v. State of California, S168066; City and County of San Francisco v. Horton, S168078.) Tuesday at 10 a.m., the opinion will be available on the California Courts Web site at this link: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/ .

So expect a comment about that on Tuesday, around noon our time. In the meantime, have a great Memorial Day and let's remember what our guys and girls in uniform have died for.

And here's Jason Mraz and the 13 Idol contestants, "I'm Yours."

Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial Day weekend take a moment to honor those who have been killed in defense of our rights and values. These flags are flying for that reason.

Briefly, the first two flags were flown during the Revolutionary War (13 stars), the next during the War of 1812 (15 stars), the Civil War (34 stars), World War II
(48 stars) and Vietnam and the current wars, Iraq and Afghanistan, (50 stars).

I know I have left out some flags and wars, but maybe I'll purchase those this year.

Problems at the Grill

Don't be surprised when you fire up the grill this weekend and the flame goes out before the ribs are done. Here, we learn that "When oil prices soared in 2008, propane suppliers quietly reduced by two pounds the amount of gas pumped into each 20-pound tank, saying they wanted to avoid raising prices."

I have a little problem with that. I mean, when you get less for the same amount of money, prices have been raised.

Here's another quote from the article:

"Until last year, Blue Rhino and Amerigas, two major suppliers, put 17 to 18 pounds of propane in each 20-pound tank. Tanks should not be filled completely for safety reasons.

About a year ago, that amount was cut to 15 pounds to save consumers a price hike, Blue Rhino spokesman Chris Hartley said."

Hey Blue Rhino, that is a price hike.

Of course, if you are a purist and use charcoal, or if your grill is fueled by natural gas, you don't have to worry about that.

Enjoy Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, enjoy your family and friends, enjoy the lake, the pool and the barbecue. Enjoy the alcohol (responsibly - don't drink and boat, don't drink and drive, don't drink and embarrass yourself), enjoy the sun. Cut a watermelon, make homemade ice cream or fish shaped cupcakes (that's what we are having).

If you are one of the lucky ones to be in Pensacola, you can celebrate on the beach. This is a scene from Pensacola Beach last year.

But also take a moment and remember the men and women who gave their lives for our country. So that we could sit over here and fight in other ways for liberty.

In particular, remember the 4,082 Americans who have been killed in Iraq, including 67 from Alabama (along with 514 wounded). They were doing what was required of them, and put in harm's way by our president. As we remember these individuals, we will also remember what must be done to end this war.

Electing a Democratic congress was not enough, obviously. We must elect a Democratic super-majority and a president who will commit to ending the war. A Democrat.

If that sounds partisan on a day that should not be, blame your president.

Enjoy the day, and be safe.

Happy Memorial Day

Today is a good day to show our Historic Flag collection. Actually all the flags are new, replicas of historic U. S. Flags. Right now we have 4, but I plan to add 2 more before July 4.


The first flag (with the 76 on it)is the Bennington flag that tradition says was flown at the Battle of Bennington (actually fought at Wallomsack, New York, not Bennington, Vermont)in 1777. This is the only U. S. historical flag with white stripes rather than red, as the outer stripes.

The next flag is the Betsy Ross flag, the first offical flag of our country, with the circular ring of stars, and flown from June 14, 1777 to May 1, 1795.

Our next flag is the "Star Spangled Banner" that has 15 stars, that inspired our national anthem. Francis Scott Key saw this flag thorugh the smoke at Ft. McHenry. This flag has its own web site at the Smithsonian. The Star Spangled Banner

The fourth flag is the current U. S. flag with 50 stars.

We will add the U. S. flag used during the civil war, and the flag used during World War 2, when my dad fought, during the summer.

This collection will fly on patriotic holidays.

Remember those who fought and died for our country today, while you are downing ribs and beer and beginning the summer season. And be careful, there has already been at least two drownings at Gulf Shores (drownings)and a murder in Bessemer on my street (teenager at a birthday party) this weekend. Teen killed

Here's what the AP reported about the gay weekend in Pensacola, as reported in The Decatur Daily. Funny, no reporting in the Birmingham News. And it's not on the Decatur Paper's web site. Not to fear, the Opelike Auburn News has it. 50,000 people and lots of green, along with rainbows. Gay Redneck Riviera

Bessemer News, including the Western Star goof

Memorial Day is coming up, and the Western Star goofed on their front page with their headline (above the fold) “Honoring our Veterans on Memorial Day.”

Veterans Day is in November. Memorial Day is to honor those service members who have given their lives in defense of our country. Besides, isn’t it odd for a conservative Bush supporting newsletter to be headlining “honoring veterans” when we see troops returning from Iraq who can not get adequate medical care, certainly do not get mental health services when needed, and I won’t even get started on Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Yeah, that’s honoring our veterans. We actually should honor our veterans every day (a democratic value) but let’s use Memorial Day to remember those who sacrificed all.

In big Bessemer news a Jefferson County Personnel Board hearing officer ruled that Herman Lehman, former city clerk, was fired without just cause and is entitled to a hearing before the whole board if the city no longer wants his services. At issue was whether Lehman was still in his probationary first year of employment, and the ruling says he was no longer on probation, and in his second year of employment when the firing took place. Lehman said he wants any back pay that is due to him from Bessemer, and is currently employed as city clerk in Montevallo. Read it

Great news, Herman!

Pensacola On My Mind

We are back from our little trip, and Pensacola Beach was very nice. There is still so much evidence of Hurricane Ivan’s destruction (2004) that one wonders how they will handle the crowds on their big weekends, including Memorial Day weekend when thousands of gays flock to Pensacola, and the Blue Angels weekend in July when thousands of everybodies flock to the island. We visited there in 2005, just months after Ivan for the 4th of July and Blue Angels and they handled the crowds then, so I guess they will do OK. The road to Ft. Pickens is still closed, and the road to Navarre is closed a couple of miles in to Gulf Islands National Seashore, but I assure you that is where the crowd will be this weekend. In fact, the road is washed away, with parts of the blacktop and center stripes lying on top of the sand a few yards inland from where the cracked and rumpled under layers of the road are still visible. I guess the Park Service on both ends of Pensacola Beach either are in no hurry to repair their roads or can’t find construction workers to do it since they are all building condos and repairing existing commercial properties.



Anyway, even a week before Memorial Day, you see this kite flying and you know you the area has been staked out for gays and gay friendly folks. Need information: http://www.memorialweekendpensacola.com/




Remember the Tiki House? Their sign proclaimed it “A 50’s Place” and it is where Bobby and I met (not in the 50’s). This is all that remains, the motel site is now used as a staging site and parking for condo construction that is going on across the street












This crab kept trying to creep up on us. Nosey little critter.

Next weekend there will be a hundreds of these rainbow colored umbrellas lining the beaches. Not this year for us though.

Tomorrow I will post my weekly column from The Western Tribune, Bessemer's newspaper. And any news I might have about the pot boiling over.