As did many others in my neighbourhood, I was ready to fly the American flag on Friday, when our nation celebrated its big birthday. I live in New England, where the Fourth of July is a big event. Twenty-odd kids from this neighborhood form an honor guard, which parades briefly before laying a wreath on a small war monument. After singing the National Anthem, we raise the flag and recite our pledge of allegiance. A respected local then addresses us. We haven't yet informed the ACLU of our plans, so we invited a friendly cleric who could perform a blessing.