Welcome to the Shorty Club!

Welcome to the Shorty Club!

In this cozy corner of contemplation, where the air is thick with the aroma of?bourbon?and the gentle wisps of a?cigar, we gather to muse upon life’s curiosities. Here, there are no rigid rules, no prescribed paths—just the ebb and flow of conversation, like the amber liquid swirling in our glasses.

Bourbon Whiskey: Our faithful companion, aged to perfection, whispers tales of oak barrels and distant Kentucky hills. Each sip carries the weight of history, the warmth of camaraderie, and the promise of shared secrets.

Cigar in the Ashtray: Resting gracefully, its ember glowing like a distant star, the cigar invites reflection. Its fragrant tendrils weave stories of contemplation, of pensive evenings spent unraveling the threads of existence.

And so, my fellow Shorty Club members, let us raise our glasses—whether they hold bourbon or simply the elixir of thought—and toast to the musings that bind us. Here’s to wit, wisdom, and the delightful randomness of it all. P.S. If you happen upon a particularly intriguing topic, feel free to share it with the club. We’re all ears (and taste buds).?

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June 17, 2024

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Please Stand

The meeting convened, its participants rising one by one to introduce themselves. Among them were retired law enforcement officers, military veterans, and professional business owners. Despite their diverse backgrounds, they shared a common thread: unwavering patriotism. As the introductions concluded, the emcee requested everyone to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A digital United States flag fluttered on the laptop screen at the front of the room, the emcee having apologized for leaving the physical flag in his office.

And so, we recited:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

In that moment, my mind wandered to the 25-foot white flagpole adorned with an eagle, standing tall and centered on the corner property of my childhood home. The flag flew almost daily, sometimes at half-staff to honor fallen heroes or with a smaller Irish flag beneath it on St. Patrick’s Day. Over the years, other flags—the Blue Line Flag, the New York Police Department or the US Coast Guard ensign—joined Old Glory. My father, a diligent caretaker, meticulously maintained the pole, ensuring the flag always flew with dignity.

He taught me respect and decorum regarding this symbol of our nation. As I’ve moved through adulthood, each of my homes has prominently displayed the flag—not as mere decoration, but as a testament to my allegiance to this country. Certain images of the flag are etched in my memory: the flag raised at Iwo Jima, on the moon, and at Ground Zero. Most poignant is the flag that draped my father’s coffin—a final salute to his unwavering commitment.

I reminisced about daily recitations of the pledge during my school years. Regrettably, it’s no longer a daily practice in most schools. The next generation may not know these words or grasp their profound meaning. Yet, the flag remains a universal symbol of hope, freedom, and liberty—a beacon recognized worldwide over the past 248 years.

Today, we witness our flag desecrated in public spaces, replaced by other banners or spat upon by those who take its freedoms for granted. But do those who harbor disdain for our nation’s symbol truly understand the pledge they dismiss? Originally penned by socialist minister Francis Bellamy in 1892, the pledge transcends borders. Its 1954 amendment to include “one nation under God” underscores our shared values. It’s time we reminded those who choose to dishonor the symbol of our country of the term indivisible and its importance to maintaining our way of life.

So, when you encounter the flag, recite the pledge, or stand for the national anthem, do so with reverence. Be grateful for a country where volunteers still defend its honor. As for me, I’ll head to the local VFW hall to properly retire two old flags.

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“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Abraham Lincoln