It's such a simple thing...

Maybe it’s because the little things just sort of add up.

A few weeks ago I observed retiring police chief Steve Balinski salute the flag during the pledge of allegiance, which opens each Village Board meeting.

No big thing, just a class way to show respect to the flag and what it stands for.

Fast forward to Monday’s Board meeting.  Once again, the pledge and once again attendees, including the state runner up Stevenson High School basketball team, stood and respectfully said the pledge.

Except, so it seems, one.  Sure, he started to say the pledge, but before long he just stopped.  Maybe he was distracted, or maybe it was because of the words “under god” – but for whatever reason he didn’t finish it.

True, it’s a person’s rights to say the pledge or not, or even abridge it.  It’s disturbing, however, to use it to call attention to you and your personal belief.  It’s a simple minute – literally – to show respect for the others in attendance and toward the United States.

And on Monday the pledge seemed to mean a bit more than usual.  There wasn’t a need for a long explanation.  All it took was one word.

Boston.