The Tongan flag and its glory [1]
Friday, August 8, 2008 - 17:00. Updated on Monday, April 28, 2014 - 12:20.
Editor,
Thank you for providing the pictures and news of the coronation of HM King George Tupou IV. This is a welcoming treat for us overseas. Thank you again.
But I have been wandering for years after being in so many different countries all over the world while I was on active duty in the US Military. I saluted so many countries flags and colors and listening to so many National Anthem then most of your readers..
I noticed two things that makes the displaying of Tonga's National Flag unique and probably one of the very few countries in the world that have and does this.
National Anthem: Tonga ask for blessing on its King; most of the world countries national anthem ask for blessings over the country.
Flag and Colors: I noticed in the past and now with your pictures from the coronation, Tonga's National Flag is lowered to salute and honor the king, a declaration there is a person or individual that is more important or higher than the national glory and the rest of the country.
On the other hand, National Flags of most other countries is only lowered in time of distress such as disasters and funerals. The whole country is giving its condolences to the fallen heroes. Otherwise, the Flags remain upright showing the world that no one person is more important than the country as a whole.
I looked at Tonga's Flag thinking, it is God's representative on the Kingdom of Tonga. Everyone else, including King George IV should salute the National Flag, not the other way around.
Respectfully Submitted
Mafi 'o Amerika Samoa, Captain
United States Marine Corps Retired.
slkava [at] samoatelco [dot] com