As the wife of an Air Force officer, I would like to encourage all of us to consider the value of our flag.
It is just a piece of fabric, but it represents the sacrifice shown by so many over the years.
It is a symbol of all we have embraced as a nation: honor, respect, faithfulness and courage.
As we moved around the United States and the world, I always knew the importance of the flag as a unifying symbol of our nation.
Lately, I have seen the flag dirty and tattered and torn and that troubles me.
There is an actual code for how to display our flag. The code was written in 1920 and is found in Title 4 of the United States Code. There it is written how the flag should be displayed and also how to destroy it when it becomes tattered and worn.
If you own a flag, please give careful consideration to its appearance. If it is dirty, it can be hand washed or dry cleaned, according to the code.
If is in tatters, check with the code about how to destroy it with respect and dignity.
I am grateful for our flag and I encourage all of us to honor and take pride in all it has meant for more than 200 years.
Rev. Alta Smith
Centralia
