SMALL TOWN AMERI, CA. 49114 U.S.

Op/Ed By William J. Wahlsteen

Published: September 11, 2007

A tale of the small town of Ameri, is an inspirational story, that shows the patriotism of one group of people, working together to do what is best for themselves, and their country.

         Outside of having some light manufacturing, a mall, and auto dealerships, there were mostly farms and small stores that formed the landscape. The major buildings consisted of what was Federal, and State Offices, and of course the Historical Courthouse building, located in the center of town. There were several old churches near the center as well. The town got by with some of the basic techniques of neighbor helping neighbor, farming and livestock, and of course general employment. Not far away was a University that some would attend, or be employed by. Survival was easy and living was basic. In good times or bad times not much really changed and everyone was fine with that.

          As the war was becoming more and more dominant in everyone's life, eventually a civic minded community allowed the building of a defense manufacturing plant. The people that ran this plant were open and fair, and respected what was important to the local people. It became a win for the town, and for the country. The increase in population, and revenues, improved the schools, and the medical facilities. Being of one mind, everyone was wondering what else they could do to show support for families that lost loved ones, or were wounded in the war. One of the Ideas was to erect a huge billboard of the American Flag for which the defense contractor said he would pay all costs. No one had a problem with that, but at the town meetings it was brought to light that the only spot where it could really be viewed in it's glory, was in front of the Historical Courthouse, where existed an abandoned lot. The huge flag would obstruct the view of the Historical Courthouse which was the pride, and main attraction of the town. Finally it was decided thru eminent domain, to seize the abandoned property, and put it to better use. For many days and nights people would come out to view this huge billboard. It was magnificent. Shortly thereafter, the war ended

Well the town of course is thrilled and the next order of business is to give the goods they had stockpiled in the churches to the needy but what about the Flag. Some felt it was time to restore the town to what it was, and remove the huge flag, that obstructed the view of the Historical Courthouse. Some felt the billboard of Old Glory should remain. The flag issue would be decided at the next town meeting. The meeting would be held in the Old Historical Courthouse. Sadly though, as the people gathered outside, they started to notice that many of the historical relics, and artifacts were missing. Upon entering the building they realized that under the Cover of Darkness, while No One Was Watching the Courthouse, the Two Huge Plaques that hung like bookends inside the Walls of Justice, had been Stolen.

One Plaque was The Constitution of the United States of America and the other Plaque was of The Declaration of Independence. Also missing were the Scales of Justice that were so carefully crafted many years ago. The Bill Of Rights were Attached so Firmly to the Wall, that the Thieves were only able to Remove a Few of them, however they Desecrated the ones that Remained. The Churches remained inTact, and their Artifacts remained Untouched. The Church having been only Partially Obscured by the Flag. No one knew How The Constitution, and The Declaration of Independence had been Stolen or even How long they had been missing. The Scales of Justice of course, were Irreplaceable. The only Remnants that were left behind was The Remaining Bill of Rights that had been Desecrated and a Beautiful Flag of Our Country that "REPRESENTED" much of the "HISTORY" and "ICONS" that had been "STOLEN".

I'm sure you can see by now this story is only symbolic. Everyone in this story was doing what was right. No one did anything wrong and all of their sacrifices were noble. However by being focused on the "SYMBOL" we can sometimes lose sight of what it "REPRESENTS". We must never "TAKE OUR EYES OFF THE COURTHOUSE". The "SYMBOL OF FREEDOM" must never "OBSCURE" the "FREEDOM" it "REPRESENTS". The "FUNDAMENTALS" of our "FREEDOM" are the "LAWS" that represent us/U.S.

"CHURCH" and "STATE" -- "SEPARATIONS"-- insure their-- "INDEPENDANT"-- survival. There are those who are NOT among us/U.S., who will "HIDE BEHIND THE FLAG" while they "DESECRATE THE LAWS OF FREEDOM". Our "PERCEPTION of THEM", is their "DECEPTION of us/U.S." The TITLE of the story is also symbolic. When the letters STAND together with LESS space between them, and more SYMBOLIC UNDERSTANDING added to them, TheTitle reads = "SMALL TOWN AMERICA, FOR 911, FOR US!"

William J. Wahlsteen