By JAKE
MOKRIS
Here’s an easy question: What symbol captures the essence of the American spirit and identity? The easy answer is, of course, the American flag.
The flag represents just about everything American: the war for independence, the Constitution, our freedoms, our government, the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who have died to defend our country, various definitions of “the American dream.�
You would think that we would take good care of such a symbol.
And many people do.
But the exceptions are disturbing: I have seen dingy flags, ripped flags, faded flags, frayed flags, flags hung from clotheslines. My mom saw a flag in a flowerpot.
Recently, I saw two flags in York County that were in about the worst condition imaginable: the bottom stripes were ripped apart, each stripe flapping around independently of the others. Some of the stripes were tangled with the flagpole and the string holding up the flag. The flags were a pitiful sight.
And the two flags were in front yards, for everyone to see. The flags were just left like that for more than a week.
If you put out a flag, your motives are probably honorable: You want to be respectful and patriotic. But how respectful is it to let your flag get torn to pieces in a thunderstorm? If a flag is left in a damaged state, the flag suggests that its owner is lazy and disrespectful, not patriotic.
Putting up a flag is not a one-time event. A flag is a responsibility; flags must be cared for and kept in good shape. Here are some rules for flag care:
If you leave your flag flying during the night, you should have a light shining on it. If you don’t have such a light, either get one or take your flag down at night.
If bad weather is coming, take down your flag. If you have a weather-resistant flag, you can put that up instead.
Don’t put flags in strange places (no flowerpots or clotheslines). If you hang your flag from a window, hang it so that the stripes point down and the field of stars is on the left relative to observers outside.
If your flag is in bad shape, take it down as soon as possible and buy a new one. Don’t be overzealous; one flag is perfectly fine, but 100 is too much. If a holiday like Memorial Day is coming up, and you want to decorate with lots of flags, put the flags away once the holiday is past. Don’t leave them outside to be ruined.
If you’re not sure about something regarding flag care, try to find the answer. Ask someone like a veteran or a Boy Scout.
A lot of people in York County have flags, which is good, and most of those flags are kept in good shape. But we need to keep in mind that flags are objects of honor that should be treated honorably.
Jake Mokris is a homeschooled student and member of the Teen Takeover staff.
More handy flag tips: Be sure to get your W Ketchup (that's wketchup.com), America flavored ketchup, evidenced by it's ample emblazoning of the American Flag on the ketchup label. Do not forget to have your American Flag lapel pin facing the correct way -- you don't want to trivialize this important symbol of our national heritage. If you feel bad because you've let your plastic American car flag(s) get tattered from all those trips to the Wal-Mart, you can always just print your own, and tape it to the inside of your rear windshield. Let the eagle soar!
I have lived in five other states, gone to school in yet two different ones, and I would say that Pennsylvania (York) wins in the number of flags displayed. From our front yard, I can see five flagpoles in my neighborhood. The last and only time I remember seeing a private flagpole was at a retired Marine General's house in California. So, is this perceived patriotic flag-flying indicitive of true patriotism or is it just a decoration that makes people feel good?
Jake,
I love the flag. yes, it does make me feel good to see our US flag flying. We have one where I work along with the state flag and I am the one who always makes sure the flag is in good condition. It is not part of my job, but I like you hate to see the flag abused. We also have one had home and keep it in good condition.