Editor’s note: The following letter was handed to a staff member away from the office and was misfiled. It was originally more timely than it appears here, but since it is a response to a criticism made in a previous letter, we’re publishing it now that it has turned up.
Editor:
In response to Richard Black’s letter of Dec. 7, “U.S. flag always has priority spot:” It was great to see you and your troop participating in the parade. I love to see the American flag displayed, even incorrectly.
You are absolutely correct in regard to displaying a flag in an auditorium, but the advice I gave was in regard to displaying the flag in a parade.
Please reread your flag etiquette book, specifically Section 3 (a) and (b). You are misinterpreting how to display it. You had your flags on the back of your float with the U.S. flag on the left side, which would make it on the observer’s right. Unless you backed your float through the parade, which I know that you didn’t, your U.S. flag was not displayed correctly.
I don’t want to duke this out in a public forum, i.e., The New Era, but I will if you want.
I have many, many years of flag education experience working with all age groups. I would be happy to provide pamphlets for your troop.
Your former band and classmate,