Last week, something happened to remind me of that truth; and I would like to share it with you:
A constituent reported to me that the flag of the Northern Mariana Islands was not being displayed along with the flags of all the other U.S. states and territories at Ft. Drum, New York.
Being left out like this was most troubling because it happened where troops returning from combat duty are welcomed home. Imagine how unwelcome our Northern Marianas soldiers would feel if the flag of their home was not on display alongside those of their brothers and sisters in arms.
That our flag was missing in action was also frustrating because Army Regulation 840-10 specifically requires that these displays must consist of all state and territorial flags. Furthermore, the Secretary of the Army had sent me assurance last October that a general notice had gone out to remind all military installations, major commands, and schools of the regulation and of the requirement that they comply.
Of course, the office of the secretary was extremely responsive last week when I alerted them that once again the commonwealth flag was missing from a display of state and territorial flags. Within 48 hours of the problem being reported to me, the problem was fixed. Our flag now flies where it should.
Afterward, as I thought about this incident, I was reminded of what it says about representational democracy and how important it is for all of us to participate and take responsibility for our government.
We rightly trust the day-to-day operations of government to the people elected to run things. But we also have to step up and speak out when government fails to operate as it should. By remaining silent, by failing to participate we are accepting things as they are.
The truth is that neither the Secretary of the Army nor I can go to every single military installation to make sure the flag displays are exactly as they should be. We have to depend on the eyes and ears of others.
That is why I am always glad to hear from the people I work for. Especially when they point out what needs to be fixed or how their government can be improved.
That is why I welcome the many new means that we have to communicate with each other and why I have set up a congressional Facebook page, e-mail address ([email protected]), website (http://sablan.house.gov), toll-free number (1-877-446-3465), and offices on Rota, Tinian, and Saipan to add to the traditional phone (202-225-2646) and fax (202-226-4249). I want it to be as easy as possible for you to tell me what’s important to you, what is working, and what is not.
As we celebrate America’s Independence Day and our own Liberation Day, let us remember: The only way to make our democracy better is for all of us to be active participants in the here and now, building the world we want for ourselves and our children.
GREGORIO KILILI
CAMACHO SABLAN
Member, U.S. Congress
