Doofus I Am

I did another stupid thing. Gosh, I'm getting good at this and it's quite embarrassing. On many days I fly the flag from the front porch. Back a few months ago the old flag was getting kind of worn and had a tear in it. I took it down and tied a new flag onto the pole. I don't fly it daily but usually when I think about it or know it's a military holiday, etc. But I do enjoy flying the flag. I also try to honor it by not leaving it out at night or not flying it in rainy weather. I know that if the flag is displayed all the time it is supposed to have a light shining on it. I know when they get torn and tattered that you need to dispose of them properly. For me I take them to the American Legion Office and they have a formal ceremony and dispose of them properly.

Yesterday was a beautiful warm sunny day. I grabbed the flag and put it in the flag holder. Later I heard a knock at the door. This young man, probably in his 30's I'd say, was standing there smiling at me. He said, "This might sound like a silly question, but is everything okay?" I told him that everything was fine. He said that the reason he stopped was because he noticed that my flag was upside down and in the military that is a sign of distress. I said, "Really? I did not know that, and I never noticed my flag was upside down." I thanked him for telling me and I brought it in and changed it immediately. I thought it was so nice of him to stop and tell me and to check on us (just in case it was distress!). He works for our local cable company and the company I have my internet through (I know this since he was driving one of their vans).

I sure did feel like a real doofus. I think I would notice if someone had their flag flying upside down, but here at my own house I didn't. In fact, I feel almost certain I would notice that at someone elses house!

Excuse me while I check to see if there is a "Kick Me" sign on my back.