This article was published in Marinscope Newspapers, Twin Cities Times
By JOE WOLFCALE
Marinscope Newspapers
Published: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 2:02 PM PDT
It wasn’t hard for Larkspur teen Joe Barton to talk about the meaning of patriotism and the American flag.
“It’s a symbol of freedom and our country and a proud thing to have waving,” said the soon-to-be Marin Catholic sophomore.
Barton,15, and nine friends from Boy Scout Troop 59 spent a couple of hours one Saturday in June distributing free American flags to businesses in Larkspur and Corte Madera as a way to pay back the Masonic Lodge of Fairfax for its use of the facility.
Scouts, Masons, Join Efforts in Flag Effort
The day became a lesson in patriotism for Barton and the scouts and the fathers who accompanied them canvassing the thoroughfares of Corte Madera and Larkspur, including the shopping centers at Bon Air, the Town Centre and the Villages.
Fairfax Masonic Lodge 556 purchased 200 12-by-18-inch American flags and the metal brackets to mount them. Barton, who recently earned Eagle Scout recognition, organized the effort.
Masonic Lodge Master Bob Ranum wanted the flags delivered before Flag Day, June 14, and also hopes the businesses will show their support on the Fourth of July.
Ranum said the idea spawned as a way to honor the country and support those who provide the freedom Americans enjoy in their everyday lives.
“I thought it was a great idea to have the merchants shows their solidarity by showing the colors,” Ranum said. “It’s really about all those people who gave their lives. This is really just something I thought we should do.”
Ranum knows a little about military service. He was in the Marine Corps in the early 1970s. He and his wife have three sons: Bobby and Danny are Marines and the youngest, Billy, is studying in the U.S. Navy to be in Special Operations.
The flag is commonly referred to as “Old Glory.” Sometime in 1831, a large flag, 10 by 17 feet, was first flown by commander Capt. William Driver from the mast of the brig Charles Doggett as it left harbor for a trip around the world.
Also known as “the stars and stripes,” today’s American flag has 13 horizontal red stripes and a blue rectangle highlighted by 50 white five-pointed stars. The stars represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes the original colonies.
Ranum hopes local businesses will fly the flag, especially for the Fourth of July.
“We want to show support for our country and respect for what the American flag represents,” Ranum said.
Contact Joe Wolfcale at jwolfcale@marinscope.com.