U.S. Marines fold an American flag that has been flown over the U.S. Embassy to the U.N. food agencies before presentation to the owner of Il Maltese. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)
ROME — David Lane, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations agencies in Rome, said here Friday that Independence Day could not be observed this year without reflecting on the recent church shootings in South Carolina, and on July 4 presented a U.S. flag to the owner of a Rome pub who had taken down a Confederate flag.

“As we celebrate these ideals, it’s equally important to reflect on events of the last few months, particularly the senseless shooting of nine African-Americans in South Carolina two weeks ago,” Lane said at his reception for 600 guests.

“This despicable, evil act, has caused some to question our progress and commitment to our ideals. At moments like these it is easy to feel like we’ve failed to achieve what I consider America’s historic mission.”

But Lane noted that President Barack Obama had also recently asked, “What greater form of patriotism is there than the belief that America is not yet finished, that we are strong enough to be self-critical, that each successive generation can look upon our imperfections and decide that it is in our power to remake this nation to more closely align with our highest ideals?”

“Even a brief look at our history makes it clear that we have made progress toward our ideals. What is also clear is that the work is not yet completed. … The willingness of Americans to answer the call and strive to live up to our ideals is what cements our reputation as a beacon of opportunity.”

The next day, Lane and several of the U.S. Marines who protect the embassy went to Il Maltese, a pub near the residence, to join in “Great American BBQ Day,” complete with a pulled pork barbecue — and to present the owner with an American flag that had just been retired from flying over the embassy.

In an interview Lane explained that he goes to the pub to watch televised sporting events, and had recently noticed a Confederate flag on the wall, which apparently had been a gift from a patron. At Lane’s request, an Italian friend explained to the pub owner that the Confederate flag had become offensive to many people, and it was taken down.

At the event, attended by some of Lane’s friends in Rome, the Marines carefully folded the U.S. flag and presented it to the owner, Daniel, who appeared to wipe away a tear as he received it.

There were few words spoken at the flag presentation, but in his toast to the United States at the Friday reception, Lane noted that Albert Camus once said that “Freedom — which we’re celebrating today — is nothing but a chance to be better.”

Daniel, left, the owner of Il Maltese, a Rome pub that held a two-day celebration of American Independence Day, accepts a flag from David Lane, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. food agencies, right. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)


 
Left: A poster promotes "Great American BBQ Day" July 3-4 at Il Maltese Birroteca Pub in Rome. Right: A pork belly sandwich with beer and a pulled pork sandwich behind. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)


A truck dispensing American craft beer was a feature at the July 4 barbecue celebrating American Independence Day at Il Maltese, a pub in Rome. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)


A cook from SPQR Grillers shows off his skill at pulling pork. (Jerry Hagstrom/The Hagstrom Report)