It is the American flag waving in the gentle breeze of a Carolina morning. It is postcard perfect!

It took a lot of work by veterans, merchants, and University Mall to get the new flagpole where everyone could see it. The old one was lost in the trees and hardly ever seen by busy shoppers. They won't miss it now.

The Legion joined the local C. V. Cummings Chapel Hill VFW Post 9100 in an 8:30 a.m. "Call to Colors" dedication ceremony. Maj. Bud Hampton, USMC, and Elmer Hughes, U.S. Army, both World War II vets, served as the flag raisers.

Kenneth Jackson, owner of Wentworth & Sloan, dedicated the flagpole and presented a bronze plaque. "It honors my father. He was killed during World War II," he said.

Special participants included many World War II veterans proudly dressed in jackets, ties, and Legion caps. They were cheered on by a crowd of more than 40 veterans and their wives, sweethearts of serving military, local folk, and merchants.

Second Vice Commander Ed Gill served as bugler and Post Chaplain Peter O'Grady blessed the monument. As local VFW commander, I got to officiate "We made local history today," I said. I told reporters: "It waves not to honor us, it waves to honor those overseas in the sand and tough conditions. They are serving and fighting so that we can have the privilege to dedicate and fly this flag today."

Chick-fil-A invited everyone to breakfast. Manager Sammy Culberson said, "At my church, we end an event with food." He must have heard that soldiers travel on their stomachs. That we do. And, we appreciate the efforts of Sammy, Kenneth, and Peter Deleon of University Mall for making our day so special.

God bless our flag and God bless America!