The Recent Flag Desecration at Wilson School

It's almost Memorial Day, a day that we fly the flag at half-staff to honor those who gave their lives for their country. Just a mere few weeks ago, some in the Wilson School area attempted to shanghai the school's flag and lower it to half-staff to honor three children who had perished in an accident. Even after the school's principal returned the flag to its proper position, some idiot went back and re-lowered Old Glory, making a mockery of one of our nation's highest symbols. 

In case you've missed some of our previous comments on this, here's a pithy excerpt from the National Flag Foundation:

"FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF: The pertinent section of the Flag Code says, "by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.

In the event of the death a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that state, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff." The code also includes other related details including the specific length of time during which the flag should be displayed at half-staff, in the event of the death of a "principal figure"(e.g., 30 days for the death of a sitting or former President, 10 days for the death of a sitting Vice-President,etc.)

GOOD-FAITH MISUNDERSTANDINGS: Although the code is actually pretty clear, confusion continues to occur. For example, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno recently ordered the American Flag flown at half-staff on all U.S. Department of Justice buildings, in honor of several DEA agents who had died. While NFF understands this gesture, the Flag Code does not give Attorney General Reno the authority to issue that order. Closer to NFF's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home, Mayor Tom Murphy ordered all flags flown at half-staff to honor the victims of a plane crash. Here again, a well-intentioned gesture, but one for which no authority exists. NFF points out these "good-faith misunderstandings" not to criticize or embarrass anyone, but rather to head off a growing trivialization of this memorial salute, and to preserve the dignity and significance of flying the U.S. flag at half-staff. To any readers who may think that NFF is insensitive for raising these breaches of etiquette, please be assured that our motives are pure. We grieve these human loses deeply; however, we believe proper respect for our flag must be maintained - no matter the circumstances."

But of course, some of those in the Wilson/Zip City area felt justified because it felt good. And if it feels good, do it. That's the world we live in today. Respect is only for ourselves, not for others, but rules are always for others, not ourselves.

While we hope there is no such tragedy in the future, if there should be, let's try to do better, shall we?