“The Spirit of ’76.” That was the name of my high school graduation class.

Yes, 1976 was a long time ago, but I remember it well. We all went a little nuts celebrating our nation’s bicentennial. By the end of 1976, the uber-patriotism fatigue was real. We were all more than a bit relieved when the calendar moved on to ’77.

For two entire years, we gathered ’round “the tube” each night to catch that evening’s Bicentennial Minute. The pre-cursor to the current top-of-hour TV newsbreak, each day’s prime-time minute featured a well-known entertainer or politician who gave a brief synopsis of what happened “on this day” two-hundred years prior.

Here’s an example:

Yes, that’s how we dressed back then.

I remember making a red-and-white (vertical stripes) maxi skirt that year, and wearing it proudly with my navy-with-white-stars button-down top.

When our government teacher assigned us one of those projects that make up a hefty portion of your grade, I decided to sew an American flag.

Let me tell you, that flag was a lot of work.

The pattern came with an iron-on transfer with the 50 stars. The transfer complete, a second piece of white cloth sandwiched a same-sized piece of navy cloth. Pinned together, then it was time to hand-baste thread between each star.

Next, my sewing machine got quite a workout. Each star needed to be outlined with what is called the Satin Stitch. After each one of the 50 stars got the satin-stitch treatment, the basting was removed and I carefully trimmed away the rest of the white cloth. On both sides.

The stripes, by comparison, were simple. Several rows of stitches made up each flat-felled seam (for an example, look at the outside leg seam on a standard pair of jeans).

I got an “A” on the project and that 3’x5’ flag is here in my study. Properly folded by this former Scout.

A quarter century later, the terrorist attacks on 9/11 shook this nation to its core. Gary and I decided it was time for a flag pole, so Old Glory could wave in front of our home. Storms have blown it down several times, but we always go find another pole – a stronger pole – and our flag flies once more.

So what is a retired grandma to do with the echoing sights and sounds of yesterday’s insurrection? I’m thoroughly sickened by the thought of our nation’s Capitol building being broken into by another type of terrorist.

Homegrown.

These are Americans, twisted by the words of a manipulative leader. A leader who spewed divisive messages to white supremacists, who acted on his behalf.

They tore down the American flag at the Capitol and replaced it with a Trump flag.

Is this a cult? Can these people be brought to their senses? There may be no hope for some of them, but as I watched the video of the madness yesterday, as angry men with crazed expressions took selfies and waved a Confederate flag inside the Capitol, I said a prayer that on the holy day of Epiphany, closed minds would open to an understanding that violence to claim an untruth is never the answer.

And I thought of John Adams.

I believe he’s my favorite Founding Father. His gruff determination to take the 13 colonies to independence through whatever means should not be lost on us in these early days of 2021.

Sometimes it seems Mr. Adams knew what might be ahead for this nation.

Our allegiance should be to our nation and Constitution, not to an elected official. The framers of our Constitution knew this, and gave us the road map to guide our way through dark times.

Time will tell how many changes will come as a result of yesterday’s insurrection. The best we can hope for, in my opinion, is an awakened populace that turns to the facts – not opinion – to gain a deeper understanding of our history, our Constitution, and the true meaning of democracy.

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