Letter: Fly the flag, but treat it with respect

As Jo Dean Overstreet suggested in her letter printed June 29 in the Appeal, it would be wonderful to view Old Glory flying from Carson City flagpoles and roof tops, especially on holidays like the July 4, Independence Day.

However, one of the first protocols to be observed when displaying our flag is that it be flown with respect. In traveling around Carson City and other communities, my husband and I have observed flags displayed with little concern for their condition. It's disheartening to view weatherbeaten, tattered and torn flags waving in the breeze or hanging limply at all hours throughout all kinds of harsh weather conditions. The blue field is so faded in some, it is difficult to see if white stars are even there. Sadly, many of these flags fly over our public and governmental facilities such as schools, city halls and courthouses.

Surely, others have noted the deplorable condition of many of these flags. I encourage everyone to take a tour of our city and other communities to see if you agree.

The most important mark of honor to be shown toward our well-known symbol of the United States is to fly it only in good weather from sunrise to sunset. The flag should be raised and lowered with dignity and not allowed to touch the ground. It should not be displayed at night unless it is illuminated. When flown with groups of flags, it should appear above and in the center of them.

These are just a few of the rules of etiquette for flying Old Glory. Certainly, our military and veteran organizations are aware of them and can more fully inform us about the proper care and use of our flag.

I am proud to be a citizen of Nevada and the United States and join Jo Dean Overstreet in promoting a patriotic display of our American flag. Let's just treat it with the honor and respect it deserves whenever and wherever it is flown.

P.S. As you view the stars on the blue field, Nevada's star (No. 37) is the third from the left in the seventh row. The stars from 1 to 50 are numbered in the order of the entry of the individual states into the union.

ELLEN RYAN NELSON

Carson City