My family and I made our annual trek to my home town this past weekend for its community festival known as Burney Basin Days.  Held on Independence Day weekend each year, it is an opportunity for our very suburban kids to experience the charms of small town life. 

I am privileged to have been raised in Burney though it hasn’t actually been my home for many years now.  One of the wonderful things about small towns is that they change at a much slower rate than urban areas and I never tire of going back and enjoying the nostalgia Burney holds for me.  Whether it is sitting on Main Street watching the parade or enjoying the spectacular fireworks show from the football field, you can’t escape the incredible sense of community or the patriotism of the people of that mountain basin. 

I don’t know if there is a red blooded American alive who would not be moved by the experience of watching a fantastic fireworks finale to the crescendo of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.  It was awesome.  I always find myself hoping they will wait a few more seconds before turning on the lights so I can dry my eyes.  I’m sure there are many others on that field hoping the same thing.

Sadly, as we drove into town on Friday looking forward to enjoying all the festivities, I noticed a full sized Mexican flag being flown from a house right in the center of town on Main Street.  My heart sank at the thought of someone dishonoring our country at a time when we have all come together to celebrate all that it means to be an American.  What a slap in the face to those who have fought for the freedom that allows these traitors to live their lives on our soil under whatever banner they choose. 

The Stars and Stripes flying proudly from the tall flag pole at the town center known as “Christmas Tree Lane” and a huge flag suspended from a cable over the highway just outside of town speak to the patriotism of the majority.  However, even one who would disrespect our country and its heroes while enjoying all the benefits they fought and died for is too many. 

Burney is no stranger to heroes.  One of the earliest losses in the War on Terror was one of her sons.  Captain Matthew Bancraft piloted the KC-130 Hercules that went down in Pakistan in January of 2002.  He was the 13^th American to die in this war.  Like so many before and since, Matt believed America was worth fighting for and he was willing to give his life in her defense.

Matt graduated from Burney High School in 1990 and went off to the Naval Academy.  Though Matt wouldn’t spend much time in his home town in the years that followed, his loyalties to her ran deep.  His nickname during his military career was ‘Burney’, because like so many of us who grew up there, he was proud to be associated with this great little town.  And Burney is certainly proud to be associated with him.  Matt was my brother’s friend.  He was a son, a husband and a father.  Anyone who would fly a flag other than his flag in his town is not capable of appreciating the cost of the freedom he gave all to defend.

My grandfather passed away just 8 days before this year’s Burney Basin Days celebration.  He spent much of the last year of his life in Burney.  I certainly hope he never had to see that flag.  He was a WWII veteran - a guy who joined the Merchant Marines at just 17 because he wanted to serve this great country.  My grandfather and his entire generation knew the cost of freedom.  How repulsive that someone would fly another countries flag in a town whose freedom has been bought with so high a price.

I hope the people of Burney will band together as a community to let this family know what they think.  It was a fairly prosperous looking home – nice cars, etc.  People who obviously enjoy prosperity not common in Mexico might consider giving some allegiance to the country whose privileges they exploit. 

This may be the first time in history that a flag other than the American flag has flown on Main Street in Burney and I certainly hope it will be the last.  Today (July 4, 2007) marks the 47^th anniversary of the 50 star version of our flag and today it becomes the most enduring flag ever to preside over our great nation.  Long may it wave!