I’m almost 84 years old and have honored and respected the American flag all of my life.
The American flag is not a decoration like a Christmas tree ornament or a bunch of colored ribbons.
It is the symbol of our great nation and thousands have given their lives protecting that symbol.
I note that recently, our school district planted, or allowed to be planted, a long string of American flags on school property, perhaps 30 or 40 of them, bordering Port Washington Blvd.
I forget the reason for the planting now, but I seem to recall that it had something to do with heroes.
That thought is a good one, but unfortunately, whoever was responsible for the flag planting and whoever in our school district approved of it, both were unfamiliar with American flag etiquette and the U.S. Flag Code.
To begin with, the U.S. flag is not to be flown after sundown, unless the flag is illuminated, in a patriotic way. The flag is supposed to be taken down, after sundown.
But next, the flag is not supposed to be flown during rain, snow or sleet storms unless, possibly, the flag is made of some all-weather material.
How many rain storms have those 30 or 40 flags already suffered through, or, can you say that they are made of some all-weather material?
While the thought of flying those flags on school property may be a good one, the fact that they are being flown without regard to American flag etiquette and the U.S. Flag Code is disturbing.
May I suggest that someone involved in this heroes project become familiar with flag etiquette and the Flag Code and implement same, as soon as I possible.
Joel Katz
Port Washington
