Having worked in many states during my career, in 2008 we found our home in Maine. Each state had its own culture, its own way of life. Maine has a unique culture, something veryspecial. Maine truly was the way life ought to be. It was all about the family, self reliance, work ethic, local control and moral values.

During the last 15 years, Maine's way of life has been changing. Our appreciation for life itself has diminished, abortion, soft on crime, legalization of marijuana which expanded the definition of operating under the influence, even our surroundings are being replaced with solar panels and wind turbines.

Our pulp mills are becoming extinct and our lobster and fishing industry is under assault. Inflation and high tax rates force both husband and wife to work. The school system has begun parenting our children. Parents' rights are ignored. Children are urged to keep secrets from their parents. School is now all about social emotional learning where academics takes a back seat and pornography is acceptable in our schools.

It seems that all we have left is out State Flag, a representation of the way we want life to be. The law establishing the flag was enacted on Feb. 23, 1909, replacing a flag that originated only eight years earlier. The Maine flag was changed because Civil War veterans in the legislature wanted it to imitate battle flags from the war. They also wanted it to be mostly blue to symbolize the Union. The current flag consists of the state coat of arms on a navy blue background. On a shield flanked by a farmer and a sailor, the state’s coat of arms features a moose and pine tree emblem. Under the coat of arms, there is a light blue ribbon that has the state’s name and above the coat of arms is a small-scale version of the north star and the Latin motto “Dirigo,” meaning “I direct,” all symbols depicting Maine culture. LD86, An Act to Restore the Former State of Maine Flag, was introduced in the House by Sean Paulhus of Bath, Representative for House District 50. It passed in the House by only two votes and was amended by the Senate to require a referendum later this year.

Why change it now? Mainers have a flag that has represented our values, our culture and our people for 114 years. So many things around us are changing. Many of them are beyond our control. We are watching what we believe, what we care for fade away. Now we could lose even the symbol of what we are.

To me our Flag represents our way of life. I hate to see it change. Some would say we need to keep current as society changes. I would argue there is value in keeping with our traditions.

At this point all we have left is our flag, and now even that could be taken away.

If you value our way of life symbolized by our flag , please vote against the referendum later this year. https://a-z-animals.com/blog/the-flag-of-maine-history-meaning-and-symbolism/