A few days ago, I went to a local hardware store to pick up some project material. As I was leaving the store, I was glancing around the parking lot, as is my custom; I check to see what vehicles are moving in which direction, etc. Basic situational awareness before I put my car in gear.
My attention was drawn to a diesel pickup idling at the vape shop next door. It had an American flag on a staff mounted to the back bumper; the flag was drifting in the slight breeze. In Utah, an American flag on a truck is not unusual at all; what caught my eye and disgusted me beyond belief was the condition of the flag. This emblem of our country, which you and I were taught to respect and honor, was torn, dirty, and covered in diesel exhaust. I was tempted to take a picture with my cell phone, but before I could, the driver of the truck exited the vape shop-yes, he had a MAGA hat on. I didn't think it was a good idea to get into a confrontation, so there is no picture.
The United States National Flag Code, which became law in 1942, lays out the rules for the proper display of the American Flag; here are two rules from that Code:
The Flag should not be on display outdoors in bad weather.
Clean and damage-free flags should always be used. Dirty, ripped, wrinkled or frayed flags should not be used. Also, when flags are damaged, they should be destroyed in a dignified manner.
I realize, given the political strife and division current in our country today, that many people feel the need to express their patriotism, loyalty, and virtue by displaying the American Flag.
I wish the driver of that truck would show his respect for the American Flag as prominently as he shows his loyalty to the former president.
Thank you for reading; as always, your comments are welcome and encouraged. Just click the word "comment" in the white box below below.
R.M. "Bob" Hartman
Source: https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/1892936/dos-and-donts-for-displaying-old-glory/ retrieved on October 19, 2024