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Inglorious treatment for Old Glory
One of the first newspaper stories I wrote, in my first journalism job, in Twentynine Palms, in 1982, was an interview with an American veteran who was a POW during World War II.
I have long forgotten this hero’s name, and the yellowed clipping has also been lost to time, but one thing remains indelible in my mind’s eye: a small, faded and tattered U.S. flag he showed me.
The historic Star-Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key.
This old “Old Glory” was nonetheless glorious. Only the size of a dinner place mat, no American flag has had a bigger impact on me. Even seeing the 30- by 34-foot “Star Spangled Banner” on display in the Smithsonian that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen his famous poem did not give me more goose bumps.
Here is why: the POW’s flag was made, in secret and at great risk if discovered, by American prisoners using thread and yarn and patches cut from their very own clothes.
At night, when deemed relatively safe to do so, this contraband of brothers displayed their homemade Star-Spangled Banner and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang our national anthem.
The forbidden flag lifted their spirits and gave them strength to endure, the POW told me through tears of remembrance.
So you can understand why in last week’s column I expressed my curmudgeonly disgust at seeing the American flag used as a beach towel and photo prop by sweaty U.S. athletes after winning medals at the Rio Olympics.
It turns out I am not alone. Numerous readers voiced their agreement in person and by email.
“No, you are not a curmudgeon,” wrote Elmer Barber. “My wife and I also witnessed the total disregard for our symbol of liberty at the Games.
“My wife and I have flown a flag on a pole in our front yard (weather permitting) on the east end for over 40 years. We see it every day, the misuse of our beautiful flag. The problem is most people have no idea what the proper use and care is when it comes to the American Flag. Maybe someone will print the proper care of the flag.”
While there is not room here for all 1,100 words of “Flag Etiquette” offered at usflag.org, the overriding protocol is that the U.S. flag should be treated with the utmost respect.
For example, “the flag should never be dipped to any person or thing” and “should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.” It therefore stands to reason a wadded-up American flag should not be tossed from the stands to an Olympic medal-winner like dirty laundry towards a hamper.
Similarly, literally wrapping oneself in the stars-and-stripes while still sweaty from competition seems to break the spirit of this stated decorum: “The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform.”
Certainly if you have ever seen white-gloved soldiers carefully handling the U.S. flag with solemnity at a veteran’s funeral, it is distressing to see the stars-and-stripes used as a towel – or worse.
“I almost blew a gasket when I saw our flag used to wipe a nose after a hard run,” Fred Nagelschmidt shared by email.
“Some of the old regard for the flag has been lost over the years,” added Nagelschmidt, who served in World War II and the Korean War. “From an early age in school, we learned about the first days of our country and what the settlers did to achieve independence.
“My father served our country in two conflicts – the Mexican border conflict chasing Pancho Villa and then in France during WWI in which he received two Purple Hearts. He was the son of immigrants and whenever the National Anthem was played on the radio we all stood at attention.”
Here’s an idea for how future U.S. Olympians can restore old-school respect for Old Glory even in their athletic glory: Photoshop an American flag backdrop into your celebratory pictures.
Better yet, simply wave a placemat-sized flag on a stick. As a POW once made clear to me, when it comes to patriotism, size doesn’t matter.
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Woody Woodburn writes a weekly column for The Ventura County Star and can be contacted at WoodyWriter@gmail.com.
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