Fly the Flag....Properly

A wave of patriotism swept the country following 9/11 that was symbolically seen by an increase in the number of United States flags put on display. Since then the enthusiasm for flag flying has waned a little bit but I don't think the patriotism has, particularly in Region 8.

Next Friday is Independence Day, a traditional celebration to display our flag. I know the majority of you want to do right by our flag, and how we display it. As we recognize our country's independence let's regain our enthusiasm for the Stars and Stripes.

Let's show the whole world that while we may differ on some issues there is one thing in which we stand united...our love for our country and our flag...our respect for it and what it represents. And remember to display it properly, replace it when it becomes worn and dispose of it properly too.

If you're not sure about the proper standards for flag presentation click the link we've provided under the neighborhood section on kait8.com.(usflag.org) Lots and lots of flags, displayed properly, will show how proud we are of our country, will show how proud we are to celebrate our independence, and will make this A Better Region 8.

A Better REGION 8: Fly the Flag....Properly

Comments

[J Drake]

Will Ingram pay any attention to the wife of a soldier serving in Iraq? I doubt it. Why should he break his silence just because a family of a soldier in the 39th is outraged at the Dacus Desecration? The Fourth was over a month ago—that’s not news anymore. Not the kind of happy news that KAIT likes. Check out the See It, Snap It, Send It page on this site. Plenty of photos of clouds and kitties. But not one of the American flag in the mud. That one didn’t make the cut. Care to explain the omission Tim?
So while Mrs. Reeves’ complaint should receive the attention and respect that the sacrifice that she and her family have made for our country deserves, it won’t. But maybe if she sends a shot of her cat looking at some clouds while dressed in an American flag outfit, Ingram will allow it to be posted on his station’s website.

[K Reeves]

I feel that it is a shame that Fred and Dacus Realtors would allow this matter to happen. My husband is over in Iraq fighting for his country, and for him to see this video of flags lying on the ground truly upsets him. If they are going to display flags I think that they should do it the right way. This matter really upset me and I will take action for all those soldiers in Iraq fighting for our country. Fred and Dacus should apologize for the problem they have caused to many Americans. Please Stop Desecration.

[J Drake]

As I predicted, Mr. Ingram chose not to respond to the desecrated American flag issue. Junk email? He’s all over that one. And did you hear he found a twenty-dollar bill? Wow.

Since he has no interest in showing you the disturbing video of flags on the ground and in the gutter that I sent to him, I have made it available at www.youtube.com/stopdesecration.

The debate is ongoing on The Sun’s editorial page. Today (08.07.08) Mr. Ken Helman, king of the Jonesboro realtors, super-patriot and hero, argues that “a few” flags on the ground are OK. And his patience is tried by complaints “about flags laying [sic] on the ground” from people like me.

But Ingram isn’t interested. He’s checking his pockets for cash and deciding which emails to forward and which are spam. Busy, busy.

[J Drake]

Left eye, right eye, take a look around, if it’s the Fourth in Jonesboro, then the flag is on the ground. Thanks to the Dacus Realtors.
If you think that the American flag is shown the respect that it is due in Jonesboro then you aren’t paying attention. Those little red, white and blue pieces of plastic laying on the ground, or in the gutter, in front of the malls, both old and new, are American flags.
The Dacuses have been putting these cheap plastic flags out along roadsides and at intersections for years. They always get a photo in The Sun showing them planting their flags. But The Sun, and KAIT, have never shown the result of this “tradition.”
Many of the flags quickly fall. The banners separate from their poles and the flags curl up in the street. Many are just toppled by the weather. Since Dacus does not provide any maintenance, the American flag lies on the ground for days.
They are there now, as I write. There was one pressed into the mud after being driven over repeatedly at the corner of Race and Fairpark; I videoed it when Rebecca Smith was at the fairgrounds reporting on the fireworks between the 5 and 6 broadcasts on the Fourth.
You don’t have to look hard, the desecrated flags are everywhere. Right in front of the Dacus office on Race and the Cara Way there were several this year. You’d think that their patriotic fever would at the least motivate the Dacuses to police their own corner.
This year I emailed a few of the photos to KAIT’s See it-Snap it-Send it feature, but they were ignored. I emailed photos to KAIT reporters, and did get a response from Miss Hodges (Good for you Brandi), but I doubt that I’ll see a story about it. This isn’t the first time that I have tried to draw attention to this distressing issue…in vain.
It’s all well and good for Mr. Ingram to lecture the Borons about the proper display of the flag, but when it comes to using the power of his station to call out those who are not showing respect, who yearly desecrate the American flag, it appears that he lacks the courage.
I will provide KAIT with the sad video I shot on the Fourth this year. And there are dozens of photos at www.myspace.com/cjekard . Have a look, and see if you can still applaud Jonesboro’s patriotism.