Do it properly and with respect, or don't do it.

Our town started doing a street-side flag display a ways back. Don't remember exactly how long, but after 9/11.

They put holders, 4 foot staffs and appropriately sized flags on every power pole down one side of Main Street and the other main road that comes into town. Probably 100 in all. Not an inexpensive project.

Looks REALLY good during July.

Problem is, they go up and then they get ignored until the following July. They get torn and tattered, wrapped around the poles, bent, hanging from one eyelet or falling down completely and left in the dirt to rot.

I picked up two this morning on our walk and dropped them at the town office. I've bitched about this before with no results. Now I'm on the war path. Started with a polite but clearly worded (how's that for a euphemism?) letter to the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen (New England equivalent to Town Council). The jist of it: If you can't do it right, don't do it at all.

If that doesn't result in some sort of positive action, a copy of that letter will be sent to the local and state papers.

I've also contacted the local Veteran's Committee. I'm not a member because I don't need a pat on the back or a free dinner once a year. But if, as I suspect, this gets handed off to them, I volunteered to help with a solution.

Good for you, totally agree.

Nothing pisses me off more than people that do not treat the flag with respect.

Last year, at my daughters HS, there was an "inbred Jed" who had built himself a rig in the bed of his F-150 to hold a rather large flag so he could be a mini bigfoot while driving. Problem was that after a while the flag was tattered and shredded from driving. I brought this up to school admin and told them. as the truck was parked on school property, that it reflected poorly on the school and thankfully it vanished anbout a day later

Yep. It aggravates me to see torn and tattered flags hanging. I've even gone into places displaying them and suggesting they fix the problem, even offering to buy a new one from time to time, with no results.

The other one that pisses me off are those that display the flag at half-staff on Memorial day and leave it there for days and weeks after.

What about taking photos, posting them here and on other forums which you are a member along with the Town Manager's address for all to see and know?

I am willing to bet that, after more than a few letters sternly worded letters of patriotism are received, the issue will be resolved (until next year )

Get em. I always say something when there is a tattered flag or it's being displayed wrong

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
What about taking photos, posting them here and on other forums which you are a member along with the Town Manager's address for all to see and know?

I am willing to bet that, after more than a few letters sternly worded letters of patriotism are received, the issue will be resolved (until next year )

Good idea, if it comes to that. Just whacked the hornet's nest this morning, I'll give 'em a few days to react.

One of the best tings my Dad ever did for me was, ling before Boy Scouts, he made me go next door every day and raise/lower the elderly woman's flag , fold it and bring it home. He drilled into my head how and why I needed to respect the flag.