Posted: 7/3/2003 7:39:17 PM EDT
Went outside yesterday morning to see that someone had planted small American flags in all the yards in our neighborhood. Upon closer inspection, I saw an advertisement for a local real estate agent stapled to the flags. These are small plastic flags, but it still pissed me off. So I wrote a letter and will be mailing it on Friday. Pete Nelson Antioch CA 94531
July 4, 2003
Carol Monahan RE/MAX Associates 2731 Hillcrest Ave Antioch, CA 94509 US
Dear Ms. Monahan,
Your office recently placed American flags in front of the houses in our neighborhood to advertise your business. While I believe your intentions were patriotic, it was very disrespectful of our flag. Please refer to the following from United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 176, “Respect for the Flag”:
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. I saw several flags lying on the ground.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature. Your advertisement was stapled to the flag.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
While these may have been small, simple plastic flags, they are still an American flag and must be treated with more respect than what was shown to them.
It is unfortunate that more people do not fly the flag. Even on holidays, I only see three or four flags flying on our entire street. I would actually like to see you distribute flags next year, but please show the proper respect for the American flag and put the advertisements in the mail box where they belong. Thank you.
Pete Nelson
View Quote I removed the ad from my flag, picked it up off the ground and stuck it back into my lawn. Someone stole it later in the day though. I'll go out tomorrow morning and get some pictures of some other flags.
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