The Title of Liberty Flag-Raising Video
The video above was taken
on Memorial Day, 2007, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The American
flag, in honor of our country, is 20 x 38 feet. The Title
of Liberty (TTOL) flag, in honor and remembrance of the
principles of liberty, is 15 x 30 feet. The yellow banner,
in honor of our troops, is about 2 x 12 feet. The flagpole
is 120 feet tall and is located on what is called "Liberty Field" at
the corner of West Broadway and Bellin Road in Idaho Falls,
Idaho. The video was taken in a 45-mile-an-hour wind at
noon when the flags were being raised from half staff to
full staff.
Normally flags are not required to fly in such a strong
wind. But the The Title of Liberty organization had made
a commitment to fly these brand new flags all day on Memorial
Day in honor of our veterans and fallen solders and in memory
of our country and the principles upon which it was founded.
It is interesting to note that this wind began blowing early
in the morning and by 6 a.m. it was whipping by at about
30 miles an hour. By noon it was sustained at about 45 miles
an hour and so proceeded on into the evening, and then stopped!
The flags were raised on the flagpole
promptly at 6 a.m. that day. A family of 10 held the American
flag, a family of nine held the TTOL flag, and two people
held the yellow banner as they were each connected to the
halyard on the 120 foot flagpole. This was no small task
in a 30-mile-an-hour wind. But that feat was accomplished
and as the flags were being raised up the flagpole, Hap
McUne played "To the
Colors" on his trumpet. When the flags reached the top,
all 23 of us present stood with our hands over our hearts
and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. As we dropped
our hands the flags were then slowly lowered to half staff
as Hap played "Taps" on his shinny brass trumpet.
Not a note was missed! It was pure, perfect pitch and sound.
Emotions ran high at this point. Then as we stood there in
silence for one minute (as the wind rushed by) in honor of
our solders who have given their lives for freedom, the spirit
of the occasion was overwhelming. An inspiring prayer of
gratitude and thanks was offered. Our hearts were full, and
with much to ponder and think about, we went home. But the
wind was just getting started, increasing in speed to 45
miles an hour, which was sustained for the rest of the day.
At noon we went back to Liberty Field again to raise the
flags to full staff in the 45-mile-an-hour wind. My grandson
recorded the video footage with his digital camera. He took
it home and added the words and The Title of Liberty song
in the background (see THE SONG on this site). (Download
QuickTime free to view the video.)
The next day we went out to check the damage we assumed
the wind had done to the flags. As we arrived they were rolling
over and around in a gentle breeze, so it was easy to assess
any damage. To our amazement there were no rips, fraying
or other damage. To us, this was a miracle and an inspirational
experience we will never forget. We hope it will be inspiring
for you as well.
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Watch The Title of Liberty music video on YouTube here. |
