Broke the rules a bit today in honor of 9-11. The flag shot was taken today with the 50mm lens. The NYC skyline was taken back in 1988 during my film days. For some reason this day has been on my mind this week- I've been remembering quite vividly where I was, what I was doing and the shock of it all. The flag in this picture was on my car's antenna following the attack. It stayed there for many months and doesn't have much left to it. I was going to leave it on until there was nothing left but one day, when I was stopped at a light, a very angry woman yelled at me for "disrespecting" the flag. She didn't know its significance to me but just in case there were others who might be offended by its condition I took it off and brought it inside my home where it has remained ever since.
Very nice compost and meaningful story to go with it. I think most of us can remember quite vividly where we were and how we heard of the attack that day.
When I worked at Rufus the guys were responsible to raise the flag and take it down. When they took it down they threw it inside somewhere in a big pile. Pat and I complained to our boss to no avail. When Rufus closed I thought finally no more dirty flag flying from our yard.
A wonderful image. I am still surprised it is not a day off in the U.S. Seems like everyone should stop on that day and not go to work. That is what we did on 9/11 years ago......we came to a halt.
Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to this image. You have made it all the more meaningful to me. I especially appreciate all the heartfelt favs.
@lynnz@onewing I understood where she was coming from. There are protocols on how to treat the flag, fold it, store it and retire it. In many people's minds it stands for so much more than just our land- it stands for all the people who have fought and sacrificed for our freedoms. In some ways they view it as sacred. Given that so many innocent people lost their lives that day, as well as many first responders who perished from the effects of the aftermath, I'm sure she was thinking I had carelessly let it get that tattered. In a way, I am glad I did not let it completely tatter. It is now a special reminder to me that freedom isn't free.
@chejja@sunnygirl Yes, I have heard several times that there are certain historical events that Americans do that with- the assassination of President Kennedy and 9-11 are the top two currently (with previous generations it was dates related to WWII). And I agree that it should be a national holiday although I'm pretty sure most people would not look upon it for any sort of remembrance but just another day to get off work.
@joansmor Too bad you didn't rescue it before the doors closed for good. I hope it didn't end up in a garbage bin somewhere!
@wendyfrost Thank you Wendy and thank you so much for the fav! I think some of your floral vignettes would work very well in a composite or with textures.
You should frame this with what's left of the flag
Thank you so much for your overwhelming response to this image. You have made it all the more meaningful to me. I especially appreciate all the heartfelt favs.
@lynnz @onewing I understood where she was coming from. There are protocols on how to treat the flag, fold it, store it and retire it. In many people's minds it stands for so much more than just our land- it stands for all the people who have fought and sacrificed for our freedoms. In some ways they view it as sacred. Given that so many innocent people lost their lives that day, as well as many first responders who perished from the effects of the aftermath, I'm sure she was thinking I had carelessly let it get that tattered. In a way, I am glad I did not let it completely tatter. It is now a special reminder to me that freedom isn't free.
@annied That is an excellent idea!
@chejja @sunnygirl Yes, I have heard several times that there are certain historical events that Americans do that with- the assassination of President Kennedy and 9-11 are the top two currently (with previous generations it was dates related to WWII). And I agree that it should be a national holiday although I'm pretty sure most people would not look upon it for any sort of remembrance but just another day to get off work.
@joansmor Too bad you didn't rescue it before the doors closed for good. I hope it didn't end up in a garbage bin somewhere!