To the Editor:
Lest the reader assume respecting our nation’s colors is something new, the U.S. Flag Code goes back 72 years (1942) and many years before that when citizens were proud of their flag.
I personally have participated in and or watched hundreds of parades from my early childhood. I grew up in towns where parades were often regular events by firemen, organizations and schools.
I was taught well at an early age by a World War I veteran father, how important it was to respect our nation’s colors as they passed along the way.
However, as I have grown older, now 90, today as our colors pass, I see men standing along parade routes with heads covered and hands deep in pockets, totally disrespecting the flag.
Likewise, women seated comfortably and not even a gesture of standing, heads uncovered and hands over their hearts.
To me and also incidentally contrary to the United States Flag Code, this exhibits total disrespect for our nation’s flag. There are numerous rules of flag etiquette. A flag is not to be used as clothing, advertising, for improper display and proper disposal is required when it is worn or frayed.
Many of us have served our country when called and we have left some behind where they fell, and we came home after defending our country and flag.
In the United States for over 200 years we have lived by a series of rules and regulations, plus traditions. To those of us of an age who have a deep seated history of seriously loving our great nation and its flag, disrespect seriously rubs us against the grain.
The proper protocol for men when the colors pass is for them to stand at attention, and remove their head gear, place their right hand over their heart as the colors passed, and women are expected to do the same.
I hope in this year’s Memorial Day parade, I can look upon the bystanders and as the colors pass, see men, boys, children and women too, standing at attention, heads bared and hands over heart in respect to our nation’s colors.
Joseph F. Gray, Capt. CE-USAR (Ret)
Damariscotta
