Belated Flagging Report

Saturday's flagging (January 31) was one of the best yet, despite somewhat sparse foot traffic on the sidewalk.

We flagged with a First National and a battle flag, which proved to be great for illustration purposes ("The County Commissioners voted to take down all the historic flags except the US flag, just to remove that one..." indicating the the battle flag, "when all they had to do was replace it with this one," indicating the Stars and Bars. "That's what the city did fifteen years ago.")

For only the second time since we've been flagging, we had a passerby who disagreed and said no flags of the Confederacy should fly today. When he said, "It's associated with slavery and racism," and I said, "Well, that depends on who's doing the associating." He said most Americans associate it that way, and I replied that reputable polls indicate that most Americans have no opinion about it. He apparently didn't want to hear more, as he strolled away at that point.

(Google Images)

One young father pushing a baby carriage posed it next to one of the cannons in front of the courthouse, adjacent to the historic clock, and took several photos. Afterward, he came to us, curious about our presence in front of the county complex.

Using the two flags snapping in the breeze, we informed him about the county's recent decision. He asked what the two flags were, and which other flags had been removed. 

Whether a new resident or visitor, he was unfamiliar with the history of Pensacola, as it is illustrated by the Five Flags displays. He asked several questions about the countries that governed Pensacola during is history. I also gave him a quick recap of the city's decision back in the late 1940s to combine history and tourism in the Fiesta of Five Flags. He was very polite and thanked us, and wished us luck in getting the flags returned to the civic center display.

Another young man made a point of coming up to us to shake our hands and thank us for publicly supporting the area's history, heritage and tradition. He said he regretted that he had no cash on him to contribute to our effort, but we assured him his verbal support and encouragement were more than sufficient substitutes.

A senior lady from Milton, in next-door Santa Rosa County, said she wholeheartedly supports returning the flags to the display. She was very knowledgeable about area history, and wished us success in our efforts.

Due to inclement weather, there was no flagging on Wednesday, February 4, but Saturday looks great for a sojourn on the sidewalk! We encourage anyone who supports our city and county's history and heritage to join us from 1 to 3 at the corner of Palafox Place and Government Street. (On-street parking is free on Saturdays, folks!)

Flagging Report: An Interesting Video Interview

My day started at mid-morning. Spouse and I attended a fundraiser fish fry for a local school's softball team. Late January isn't softball season, and it was cold and windy for the game, but the fish, baked beans, cole slaw and hush puppies were delish, and fortified me for the afternoon's flagging.

Brilliant sunshine and a blue sky made for a great flagging backdrop, but foot traffic on lower Palafox was diminished somewhat, possibly due to the strong, chilly wind. Nevertheless, we had several passersby stop to take our hand-out and engage in brief chats.

As before, nobody agreed with the county's actions, and many did not understand the reason for the flag removal. "Except for political correctness," one gentleman offered, and we heartily agreed.

Our explanations went something like this. "They wanted to remove the Confederate battle flag from the display, but the French, British and Spanish flags all came down, as well.  It seems like overkill, especially when all that was necessary was to replace the battle flag with this one." This explanation usually brought forth questions as to what flag "this one" was.

"This is the First National flag of the Confederacy, called the Stars and Bars. This is the one used by the city in their Five Flags displays. We don't see any reason why the county can't use it, as well."

"I agree!" "Good luck," and "Hope you're successful!" were the kind of remarks we heard when our conversations ended and people went on their way.

We met a crew of four young men shooting video for a documentary that is to be put into a time capsule for future generations to view. Videos being shot around the country will be in competition for a spot in the time capsule, to be opened fifty years hence. The contest is being held in conjunction with the movie Interstellar, and the winning documentary will also be shown at the premier of that movie. 

They asked out our flagging, and I explained about the county's removal of the flags, and our support for Confederate heritage. "It is under attack. Most Southern culture is not under attack. Nobody's crusading against red beans and rice or magnolias. But Confederate heritage is the target of a campaign of political correctness."

One of the young men asked if I would like to be interviewed for the documentary, and I agreed. I was told I would have to sign a model release. I said I was familiar with model releases, as I used to shoot video and had to get signed releases from participants.

While one man operated the camera, another asked me questions, about ten in all.  It was an interesting experience. When the videotaping was over, they posed for a quick photo, I wished them luck with their documentary, they wished us luck with getting the flags returned, and went on their way.

The more we flag, the more convinced I am that the county made a critical error in removing the flags. I look forward to the day they are returned. In the meantime, we can use their mistake to educate folks about the Confederacy, and the unique heritage and legacy handed down by our civil war era ancestors.

Next flagging -- Wednesday, January 28, from 1 to 3.

Flagging Report: Lady Liberty (Two of Them!) Pay Us Visit

Good day on the sidewalk Wednesday -- several good conversations, people stopping to chat, to learn about Confederate flags, and to express their thoughts and feelings about the removal of four of the Five Flags from the Pensascola Bay Center.

Although we are flagging the county to encourage the return of the Five Flags with the First National "Stars and Bars" representing the Confederacy, we are a Confederate heritage group and we enjoy taking advantage of the opportunity to educate about other Confederate flags, and other aspects of the Confederacy and the War Between the States, as well

Thus, one West Florida Flagger brings his unique 1st and 3rd Florida Infantry Flag. Here's an image of the original, found on Wikipedia.

We did have a brief encounter with a gentleman who expressed disapproval of the Confederate battle flag, but we explained we aren't picketing to have it returned to the civic center display. We are ready to defend the battle flag from the ongoing campaign against it, but this particular issue in our city and county involves the display of national flags. Everyone else who stopped to chat and take one of our handouts were matter of fact in their support of returning the flags to their display.

More than once, the Virginia Flaggers have said, "Flagging is fun!" and so it is! Yesterday, a small group of middle school students visited the sidewalk on a field trip, made photos of the historic clock on the grounds of the Old Courthouse (and snapped a few photos of us) on their smart phones.

We were also visited by two lovely young Statues of Liberty giving away holders for soft drinks (some with candy inside!) advertising a tax return preparation service. They also would like to see the flags returned to their display on county property.

Rumor has it that the county commissioners have learned that we are here and we flag!

Next appointment on the sidewalk -- Saturday, January 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.