Long may it wave o'er the home of the brave

Last Friday I read a stunning story about American flags. It never occurred to me that flags flying over military bases, embassies, on battleships or even draping the caskets of our Killed in Action heroes would be made anywhere but in the United States of America.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the California State Senate. He served in combat with the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart.

It was Congressman Thompson who stood up and figuratively pointed out that the "emperor wasn't wearing clothes" by writing legislation requiring flags purchased by the Department of Defense be 100 percent "Made in America." That legislation is now law, signed as part of the 2014 omnibus appropriations bill. Amazingly, a similar bill requiring all government-purchased flags be made in the U.S. has repeatedly failed.

Curious, I contacted Post Falls Public Services Director Terry Werner, Finance Director Jason Faulkner and Chief of Police Scot Haug to find out if the flags we fly over City Hall, in our city parks, at our city cemetery and at the police department are made in the USA. I'm happy to report that without exception they are.

As we discuss economic development and jobs it would be great to walk the talk in all of our communities and not just with the most recognizable symbol of this country. Buying American-made products makes sense on every level, supporting manufacturers right here in the good old US of A.

It starts at home and it starts with us. Kudos to the city of Post Falls for flying American flags actually made in America. Gov. Butch Otter's staff confirmed that the flags that fly over state offices and the State Capitol in Boise are also made in the USA as did the Kootenai County commissioners' office regarding flags at the county buildings.

Sorensen Elementary sixth-grader Danielle Santerno is a Level 6 gymnast at just 11 years old. In early February she sprained her wrist when she slipped on the ice during a game of tag. A week ago the doctor said her wrist wasn't healed sufficiently to compete in last weekend's annual Great West GymFest, a regional meet of epic proportions for a young gymnast.

According to Danielle's proud mom, Christina Petite, her daughter was not to be deterred. Danielle came up with a one-handed tumbling pass for her floor routine. That routine, even with one hand, earned her a 9.27 from the judges and a first place medal. If you ever wondered how Olympic athletes come to be at the world stage, I'm sure that it's similar perseverance and determination to what Danielle displayed.

Hazel Day, Water and Reclamation Administrative Assistant, is retiring after nearly a quarter-century with the city of Post Falls. When she started, the population was several thousand, and as she's feted with a potluck today, Post Falls is a city of 30,000. Some of the divisions under Public Works in her experience are Street, Fleet, Parks, Cemetery, Water, Wastewater, Planning and Zoning, Building and Engineering. Hazel has had five bosses: George Wilson, Paul Diener, Bill Madigan, Terry Werner and Mike Neher. It's a safe bet that there aren't many city staffers with this diversity of departments in their tenure. Hazel will be missed!

This weekend at Peak Fitness in Coeur d'Alene, dreams will come true for some lucky women. Auditions for the Red Hot Mamas troupe will be held under the direction of the red-hottest mama of all, Mikki Stevens. The Mamas are looking to fill their ranks with dancers, twirlers and characters to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. More info at rhmamas.com

Quote of the Week: Rose Backs, well-traveled and renowned auctioneer: "Every time I go to another city I fall in love with Coeur d'Alene all over again!"

Happy Birthday today to Daisy Huggins who's 80 years young, Brad Medlock, Tina Hough, Carolyn Peterson, Clara Hester, Ivy Fox, Sunny Day and Ron Gonzalez. Tomorrow Karen Cocoran, David Sheridan, Tawny Brown, Camille Carleton, Steve Lux and Mary Herrick will blow out the birthday candles.

Don Pischner, Bridgette Lowry, Gary Dagastine, Bob Flowers, Al Telles, Maurie Bruce, Dean Walsmith, Allison Gerzina and Robin Gerzina celebrate their birthdays on Feb. 28. If there were a Feb. 29 this year Nancy DiGiammarco would be celebrating but she'll just need to wait until the next Leap Year.

Saturday, March 1 Faye Griffiths, Connie Chalich, Bud Kobs, Megan Aker and John Billetz will enjoy another trip around the sun. LeeAnn Cheeley, Lisa Honnell, Sharon Menti, Rhonda Shippey, Ginny Easterly, Alexander Endo, Randy Hurt and Nickolas Aker were all born on March 2.

Monday, March 3 is the birthday of Rebecca Kilmer and Gail Kinlock, and Michael Ward, Chris Guggemos and Jon Newcomb celebrate on Tuesday.

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2013 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com.