KVNUFTP

I always enjoy the huge flag at Macey’s in Providence.  It huge size makes for an impressive sight.   But lately I’ve been just as impressed with the care they take to display it properly.  It is always well lit at night, its kept clean, half-mast at appropriate times, and I’ve never seen it torn or worn.

I don’t know if I would have noticed but for an event a couple years ago.  Our local scout troop delivered and set up flags for display on national holidays as a fund raiser.   It was always delivered the night before and would be displayed for the whole day and picked up that night or the following  day.  Then one day that changed.  My son, a member of the troop, was now getting up at six in the morning to deliver the flags.  I remember joking  that was rude to have to get up so early in the morning on a day off.   But it was explained to me that the flag is supposed to be illuminated at night so it was better to get up early than to display it wrong at night.

I had a new respect for the work and care it took to properly display the flag as well as a respect for the people willing to do what it takes to display it correctly.

As I drive from Hyrum to North Logan where I do most of my work I’m surprized by the number of flags that ought to be repaired or retired. One can almost excuse LeGrands Johnsons dingy gray flag.  It is a gravel pit, but really is it too hard to wash the flag on occasion?  Both Convergys and the BATC on 10th west fly the flag at night unlit.

This little article is inspired by the rag that Lee’s in North Logan displays as a flag.  A couple months ago it was ratty and frankly an embarrassment.  The ends were frayed so badly that the seam wasn’t even there.  I went in and complained to customer service.  I few days later it looked as though an attempt was made to repair it,  but now it is starting to to look trashed again.

I know it looks cool to fly a flag at your business.  But if your attempt is to show patriotsm then PLEASE show the respect due and display the flag properly.