Patriots and Flags

A real difference between South Africa and the United States is patriotism. The patriotism here permeates everything. From the core of life to consumeristic gimmicks galore. Americans love America and the ideals on which it was built. I must admit, the history of the founding fathers is very attractive and inspiring.

Don't get me wrong, there is an African pride, and maybe when the last traces if colonialism have disappeared (is that possible?...), and the grudge about past injustices fades, then maybe patriotism will rise amongst South Africans and the ideals of freedom enshrined in the constitution will be the cause of national pride.

The local football (American) team are the New England Patriots, named after the heroes who led the way to casting off the shackles of the English in the War of Independence. The NE Patriots have been a dominant side with a star quarterback in recent years.

We visited the Gillette Stadium and the adjoining shopping village, Patriot Place.
We paid top dollar to attend our first American cinema there. "Beverley Hills Chihuahua" ....oh well, I suppose I did laugh...
I am pictured here with Tim and Michael instructing them to get into shape so they can make Dad lots of money on that playing field someday.

The church rented a car for us to get around on Columbus Day weekend. A black Nissan Altima that I digged the most at first, but after a few days of driving I decided it drove like an old man's car. By the end of the weeked I needed stress therapy from the weirdness of driving on the other side of the road.

The car was convenient as we were able to take Tim and Michael to their first day at school in the US. Here is Tim looking bog-eyed before we departed.

The boys will commute on the yellow school bus, even after we get our own vehicle. It does a stop in the church parking lot and picks them up. Cool.

Here is a pick of Michael getting off the bus after his first day at school.

The most common expression of patriotism is the flag. It is literally EVERYWHERE! Porches, building, shops, cars, etc, Americans love flags. They REALLY love the stars and stripes.

On my walk to the local shops I walk past a memorial signpost to a soldier who lost his life in the war in Iraq. Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander S. Arredondo. Today I noticed his father driving a pickup truck and trailer covered with flags and crosses past the memorial. He was being filmed professionally by somebody. He seems unable to quietly grieve. He needs to shout out through a film production that his son's death wasn't from cancer, or an accident, or an other unstoppable tragedy. His death was a result of the decision to go to war. This picture of a blend of patriotism and the tragic agony over a young, vibrant son taken away too soon will remain with me.