See You At The Pole
by Steve West on December 15, 2021

At the end of my college career, I walked on the campus of the University of Maryland for the thousandth time. Near the chapel, in front of an administrative building, stood flagpoles bearing the flag of the State of Maryland flying slightly lower than the flag of the United States. Annually, in September, students are encouraged to gather at the flagpole of their school and pray, an event called "See You At The Pole". Constitutionally, schools are prohibited to sponsor prayer meetings but students are able to organize events themselves. I went soon after hearing of a grassroots event held in Texas. It had not spread wide enough to yet reach Maryland because at 7:00 a.m. on this chilly morning, I was alone.
I had recently been awarded my Master's degree and had come to express my gratitude to God for His guiding hand. Today, crowds assemble on an international stage in Canada, Korea, Japan, Turkey, and Cote d'Ivoire among other countries. But on that particular day thirty years ago, only one brave man was present to pray alone. I prayed for the school, my family, friends, church, and community. And God heard.
It's almost certain that others were there that same day as I, it's a rather large campus, certainly with many more flagpoles. I only went for a few scattered years, my life taking me away from campus but the number of students attending grew each year with the last one in which I participated numbering a few hundred.
I say to myself each year that I should go but life intervenes as it's wont to do. Maybe next year...
One Reply to See You At The Pole
Web Junkie
Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

The Reunion
Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking, “Surely I can’t look that old?” I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his DDS diploma which bore his full name. Go »
Catching Up On 2011
Not that I think my life is that interesting but writing about stuff is a little therapeutic. Highlights in a nutshell: Both girls are routinely making Honor Roll. The work Brenda and I have to do to help make that happen - not routine. Go »
Best Of Photojournalism
Perspective is everything. I look at some photographs that have been awarded a Pulitzer and understand immediately why. Others I look at and mentally shrug my shoulders. Go »
Halloween Is For The Dogs
Last year for Halloween, I took all of Lauren's stuffed dogs and sewed their mouths to parts of my shirt and pants (with fake bleeding cuts on my arms and face) and went as an attack dog trainer. This year, I need to adopt or at least rent a dog so I can dress it like this for Halloween. Holy Kibbles & Bits Or this... Go »
Halloween Post #1: Too Early For Halloween?
Yes, it's too early for Halloween. However, if you plan to order or make a Go »
Scott Hardie | December 22, 2021
I had never heard of this tradition until now, but then, I was an atheist in college. Regardless, I really like the idea that people all around the world are praying at the same time in the same way (allowing for time zone, right?). Wikipedia has info about the movement if you're curious like me. Steve, I appreciate you mentioning this, and I hope that you do get around to going again.