During these times of many groups thinking they could run our Constitutional government, a review of a flag story is undoubtedly appropriate.

The American Legion Magazine has told a story that will outdo any auto agency or those displaying large flags of the United States of America. This show of patriotism happens to be on an insurance company campus in Wisconsin. The flagpole is 100 feet taller than the Statue of liberty and the flag is more than four stories tall.

Then, there are the other statistics about this flag, which are as follows: the pole is 400 feet high, the flag’s size is 7,200 square feet, the measurement of each star is 3.5 feet, each stripe is four feet wide, the pole weighs 420,000, pounds, it took 500 gallons of paint to cover the pole, there were 680 yards of concrete used in the pole’s foundations and -42F degrees is the lowest temperature the pole is designed to withstand.

On the foundation are bricks containing the names of persons killed while service in the Armed Forces.

An official of the company tells in the story that a person is not an owner of a flag, but a custodian.

In the same magazine, concerning the Star Spangled Banner, the slowness of Congress wasn’t much better between 1814 and 1931, that’s the period of time when Francis Scott Key put pen and paper together to write the song and for that august body to accept the music as our National Anthem.

Other interesting facts include that the Star Spangled Banner was written behind enemy lines while Key was negotiating the release of a prisoner from the British during the War of 1812. During this time he became privy to England’s plans to rout Baltimore, so enemy commanders held him aboard ship during the battle. He and two companions witnessed the firing on Ft. McHenry, inspiring his famous words.

In the final of four verses, Key wrote “In God We Trust,” which has appeared on coins since the Civil War and on paper money, surprisingly remaining there since 1950.

The Navy in 1893 ordered the playing of the Anthem at colors and the Army followed two years later.

This isn’t advocating anyone to go out and buy a flag this large, mine is a 4×6 feet, but to show as a true American right now would be most appropriate!

It was once a project of Irwin-Easley American Legion to go door-to-door in Cassville offering for sale flag sets for display, especially on holidays. Installation was included if the buyer desired, which at some spots was difficult.

The old Irwin Hotel was stucco, and we had no cordless drill in those days, but we eventually got the job completed.

Residents in those days were most cooperative, and Cassville had a good display in town at special observances.

Evidenced by the return of shot clinics returning and an upturn in the number of deaths resulting from new strains of COVID, the pandemic might be over, but the flu season is right upon us.

Coming up are sessions to protect not only the new strain of COVID but the regular flu also, yes, it is that time of the year.

The vaccine is being provided by health insurance and government coverage for both of the preventive vaccines.

If you want to protect yourself and others, make plans to acquire the shots soon.

Having gone through the pandemic and witnessed the dreaded results should be convincing to even the deepest doubter.

Almanac information has a prediction of fairly good weather In the Midwest until this (middle) part of the month when things might be changing out of the west and southwest. Early heavy snow might be found in the Rockies.

As for the best fishing for the remainder of the month, the 15th through 17th is suggested. Then good fishing is tabbed for the 12th and 31st.

History notes this month show Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court in 1991, which will someday mark a bad time for this nation. Other dates of note include: The great Chicago fire was in 1871, the first female FBI agents were hired in 1972, and the stock market crashed in 1929. That’s 93 years ago if you happen to know my age.

October is a busy time for Cassville with a couple of major entertainment events are scheduled. Watch for the Chili Cook-off and The Show. Both are sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The Show is held on the Cassville campus, in the FEMA Building.

Both events have a long tenure in Cassville The Cook-off and square-filling displays and merchandise, will be a one-day event, and The Show runs three performances.

Bob Mitchell is the former editor and publisher of the Cassville Democrat.

He is a 2017 inductee to both the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame and Missouri Southern State University’s Regional Media Hall of Fame.