You can erode what it stands for all day, but let the actual fabric fall apart and then you get plenty of attention
Tattered flag raising indignation
12:11 PM CST on Thursday, February 24, 2005
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO - A former Air Force medic's plan to fly the same American flag until U.S. troops return from Iraq has been criticized as the flag becomes faded and tattered.
Moses Mitchell hoisted the brand new flag outside his business center and day-care facility near Lackland Air Force Base two years ago as a tribute to the troops in Iraq.
"I knew I had some rebelliousness in my mind when I was doing this, but basically it was something to remind of the pain and agony and the death that our troops are facing over there," said Mitchell, who treated Vietnam War casualties.
The flag's condition has infuriated Vietnam War veteran Jack Long. He has contacted politicians, the police and even the FBI in a futile effort to force Mitchell to take it down.
"It's just hanging in shreds," Long said. "It breaks my heart to see that. It is so disgraceful."
A section of federal law known as the Flag Code does state that "the flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." But there are no penalties for violating the code, and it is binding only on federal installations.
"The code functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups," according to a 2004 Congressional Research Service report.
Michael Buss, assistant director of the American Legion's national headquarters, said he believes it is wrong for Mitchell to display a disintegrating flag.
Mitchell said that it's not a war protest, he supports President Bush's decision. But he said that displaying "nice shiny flags" misrepresents the deadly and difficult work Americans do there.
12:11 PM CST on Thursday, February 24, 2005
Associated Press
SAN ANTONIO - A former Air Force medic's plan to fly the same American flag until U.S. troops return from Iraq has been criticized as the flag becomes faded and tattered.
Moses Mitchell hoisted the brand new flag outside his business center and day-care facility near Lackland Air Force Base two years ago as a tribute to the troops in Iraq.
"I knew I had some rebelliousness in my mind when I was doing this, but basically it was something to remind of the pain and agony and the death that our troops are facing over there," said Mitchell, who treated Vietnam War casualties.
The flag's condition has infuriated Vietnam War veteran Jack Long. He has contacted politicians, the police and even the FBI in a futile effort to force Mitchell to take it down.
"It's just hanging in shreds," Long said. "It breaks my heart to see that. It is so disgraceful."
A section of federal law known as the Flag Code does state that "the flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." But there are no penalties for violating the code, and it is binding only on federal installations.
"The code functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups," according to a 2004 Congressional Research Service report.
Michael Buss, assistant director of the American Legion's national headquarters, said he believes it is wrong for Mitchell to display a disintegrating flag.
Mitchell said that it's not a war protest, he supports President Bush's decision. But he said that displaying "nice shiny flags" misrepresents the deadly and difficult work Americans do there.
posted by Robert_M at 4:11 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home