To the Editor:<\/p>\n
(Town of Sullivan, NY – April 2013) As I drive around town, and especially on a long drive yesterday, I notice American flags\u00a0in many places. As an American, and especially as a veteran, I am disgusted by the number of flags that are displayed improperly and in utter disrepair.<\/p>\n
And the folks with these flags don’t seem to care about the disrespect they are showing by trying (and failing) to show their patriotism. I wish I could afford to drive around with a trunk full of flags and just stop and drop one off at all of the residences and businesses (and government buildings) where the flag is just put out and forgotten.<\/p>\n
Just in case people don’t know\u00a0the Flag Code,\u00a0I have highlighted some of the points salient to my position:<\/p>\n
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way. (The American Legion and many other organizations will take these flags and dispose of them properly).<\/p>\n
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.<\/p>\n
The flag should be illuminated if displayed at night.<\/p>\n
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise. (This also includes all the flags I see stuck in the branches of trees close to flag poles).<\/p>\n
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.<\/p>\n
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery.<\/p>\n
And as parade season rapidly approaches:<\/p>\n
In a parade, the flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle, railroad train or boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.<\/p>\n
To view\u00a0The Flag Code\u00a0in full, visit senate.gov\/reference\/resources\/pdf\/RL30243.pdf or for the shortened version, visit usflag.org\/flagetiquette.html.<\/p>\n