Flags Over Arkansas – Arkansas Times

So many things in our world can seem impenetrable to any action I might want to take to change them. But last week I had to do something in response to our bewildered president’s irresponsible decisions about Ukraine. 

So there I was, while Betsy was out of town, climbing up and down my extension ladder to put up a new flag pole and fly the flag of Ukraine next to our American flag. And then, after a little online research, I needed more ladder work to get the American flag in its proper place. Nothing says commitment more than a 79-year-old man on an extension ladder. Unless you’re a Ukrainian yearning and fighting for a normal life while having to counter Putin’s 19th century behavior and your most necessary ally is led by a man who…? A man who what? 

What does President Trump do to make such irrational decisions in the face of Putin’s aggression? 

So here’s my flags:

Here’s another set of flags flying proudly near the Arkansas River. One is the American flag. What’s the other one, and why is it there?

Thanks to North Little Rock Mayor Pat Hayes, we have the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum with the tug USS Hoga and World War II submarine USS Razorback. Following a distinguished Pacific Theater, Korean War, and service in the Vietnam War, the Razorback was donated by the United States to the Turkish navy as part of the NATO alliance. After several decades of service, Turkey offered to donate the submarine to the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum with two understandings. First, Turkey would not pay for the tow from Turkey to North Little Rock. (Thank you Warren Stephens and Stephens Inc. for your generosity!) And second, the Turkish flag, alongside the U.S. flag, would always be part of the Razorback’s display. The Turkish navy is proud of the service this remarkable and durable submarine contributed to world stability. 

The NATO alliance stabilized a post-World War II world and sent a strong message to potential aggressors. It can continue to do so with the right leadership, leadership that is not bewildered. We’ve got work to do.