The Story of the BGA Flags

 

“Eddie, do you know where the flag is that flew over campus on our graduation day in 1967?” Mike randomly asked during our 35th reunion gala in 2002.

 

My initial thought, halfway through his question, was that, in typical fashion, I had forgotten something I was supposed to bring to the event. My only recollection of the flag on our graduation day was a photograph made with friends and family around the flagpole. Not realizing the historical significance of his question, my response was the obvious, “No.”

 

Mike could easily read the next question in my facial expression and promptly answered with, “It is on my desk in Houston.”

 

Seeing that I was speechless and confused, he explained that he was assigned flag duty that day in May of 1967. After graduation ceremonies, it was his task to properly lower the flag and return it to the administration building. After “Ol’ Glory” reached the ground and was safely in Mike’s hands, the impact of how meaningful the artifact was and what a momentous occasion this was overwhelmed him. Mike remembered that this flag was not only a symbol of the United States of America and a representation of its citizens’ beliefs, BUT it was the flag that gloriously few over the territory of our college preparation. It should be retired. And Mike did just that!

 

Mike’s account of duty, devotion and gratitude almost moved me to tears. At that precise moment I looked over Mike’s shoulder and said, “Mike, you have one more flag duty task.”

 

If you recall, the 35th reunion was being held in the old BGA gymnasium where we had spent many hours of Physical Education, basketball games, etc. Permission had been granted to use the facility because it was scheduled to be razed shortly thereafter. Our 35th reunion would be the LAST official event in the old building.

 

Now the tables were turned and Mike had the confused look on his face. I pointed over his shoulder. When he moved to see the object of my attention, he focused on the flag that hung in the gymnasium during Physical Education, basketball games, proms, etc. He looked back at me and said, “We can’t take that flag. Look at the cops. And besides, how would we get it down?”

 

Yes, as part of the contract with the school, security guards had to be provided for the facility. Two off-duty Franklin Police officers were hired to stand at the gym doors and watch a group of 50+-year-old men regress to age 17. They were standing directly under the flag.

 

“Mike, I don’t know exactly what we are going to do, but stay with me and be a split-second behind whatever I do.” So, the larceny began.

 

We walked over to the flag, looked up at it, and, over the blaring music, I said to Mike, “What did you do to deserve flag duty tonight?”

 

Without taking the full split-second, Mike replied, “Well, you know Ralph (McCracken ‘67). If you screw-up one time you are going to get the work detail.”

 

Our conversation was loud enough to be overheard by the security guards. And since they were young enough to be our children, they offered to assist in our “work detail.” After all, they were probably afraid that because of our age, we might hurt ourselves. They even informed us of a hydraulic lift that was hidden in the corner.

 

BINGO! The next thing I remember, Mike and the guards were using the lift and properly lowering the U.S. flag. I watched as Mike and the officers folded the flag with precision and respect, as if their audience was the President himself. It was the most impressive and respectful robbery I could have ever witnessed.

 

After saluting the flag, Mike presented it to me. I declined the gracious offer and remarked that it should reside with the 1967 flag. Mike refused my suggestion, and I complied with his wishes. I encased the flag and kept it in my Nashville office as I envisioned Mike’s 1967 flag in his Houston office.  (Go to  http://bga67.jhamptonweb.com/events.html to see the crime in progress.)

 

On September 29, 2007, both flags were returned to Battle Ground Academy during the dedication ceremony of a memorial courtyard at the Fleming House given in Mike’s memory by his wife, Kathy and his children, Michael and Ashley.

 

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