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From: James R. Puz
Over the years people have displayed the American flag year ‘round—hot or cold, rain or shine, wind and dust, snow and ice, the end result being a national ensign that it looks like it was on the bloody battlefield of Gettysburg, went up San Juan Hill or was at Pearl Harbor that fateful Sunday.
For many, merely flying the Stars and Stripes, regardless of its condition, represents “patriotism.” Well, I’m sorry my friend, but that doesn’t say “patriot” in my book. What it does say is CHEAPSKATE.
I have seen American flags so faded that from a distance you couldn’t make out what flag it was. Others have been so ratty and dirty it’s amazing they were still waving in the breeze. It only takes 1-2 years for a flag to show wear and tear when it has been outside every day of the year.
But aside from these flag wavers being Scrooge in the flesh, they are also showing disrespect...not just for the emblem of the United States but for those men and women who have served that national beacon...for those men and women who have DIED for that national beacon.
So if you are one of those “patriots” reading this and you say you can’t afford the 5 or 6 bucks per year or so to replace your tattered Old Glory, pass on a pack of coffin nails, a six-pack of brewskies or a handful of Powerball tickets. Our men and women in uniform deserve at least that much...don’t they?
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