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Guest Editorial
When American Zeal Destroys Her Heritage
Why the WTC Flag Should NOT Fly at the Olympics
by John Cobbs
Feb. 6, 2002 -- WASHINGTON (APJP) -- The International Olympic Committee had asked the United States not to use the American flag found at the World Trade Center after September 11th during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremonies this Friday. At this time, it looks as if this badly damaged flag will in fact fly on Friday.
The irony is that the IOC may, in fact, have been doing Americans a favor with their original ruling.
The tattered American flag was recovered from the collapsed ruins of the World Trade Center in New York shortly after Al Qaeda thugs committed the worst crime in American history. That flag has become a treasured memento of American History, joining a long line of flags preserved and displayed at museums, government buildings and memorials throughout the nation.
The flag is of particular significance to the families and friends of victims and to the fearless civil servants and volunteers who endeavored to rescue others from the rubble in the immediate aftermath of and the days and weeks following the atttack. It serves as a symbol of patriotism, pride and unity for all American people who shall persevere and thrive even in the face of unspeakably evil attacks.
However, it should not be forgotten that the flag is in fragile condition -- particularly in its upper left quadrant.
The decision to display the flag at the World Series, the Super Bowl and other venues, while well-intentioned, has actually proven controversial among preservationists. Flying the flag in winter conditions opens the flag to the risk of further damage.
Two conservative mailing lists to which I subscribe have been pushing for the flag's use in the Olympic opening ceremony's "parade of nations" -- and one used quotes from Olympic officials to drum up support.
IOC's director general, Francois Carrard, was quoted as saying that we should "not forget the games is a universal event." He is correct in his recommendation that Americans not overdo overt (and arguably jingoistic) displays of "patriotism" during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games outside of the traditional local color that is always attendant from the host nation during this display of international unity.
Additionally, Salt Lake Olympic Committee (SLOC) President Mitt Romney was fully justified in emphasizing that the Games are "not designed to be a patriotic American display.... There should not be a direct tribute [to those who died in the attack on America] in the ceremony itself."
By curtailing displays of excessive and even tacky patriotism that could actually harm the image of the United States at home and abroad, especially in the shadow of a justified global "war on terror", America can instead showcase its virtues, its freedom, and its constant striving to help all peoples of the world advance in life and liberty.
The handful of special interests that are pressuring the IOC and the SLOC to have a delicate and cherished relic of the attacks on America exposed to the possibility of more damage deeply insult the victims of September 11th, their families, and millions of patriotic Americans.
The only suitable option is to display this flag away from the elements -- away from not only the Olympics but corporate sporting events.
We support the controlled and protected display of this important piece of American history at temporary and the eventual permanent memorial to the victims of these heinous attacks on America. If anything, it is time for preservationists to care for this flag and prepare it for display at a memorial for the victims of the September 11th attacks.
E-MAIL CONTACTS:
US Olympic Committee -- media@usoc.org and sponsorship@usoc.org
Salt Lake City Organizing Committee -- media.relations@saltlake2002.com
Museum of the City of New York: Project September 11 -- projectsept11@mcny.org
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey -- http://www.panynj.gov/rfframe.HTM
American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works -- info@aic-faic.org
National Museum of American History -- info@info.si.edu
Save America's Treasures -- saveamericastreasures@nthp.org
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, American Politics Journal Publications, Inc.
