What happened to flag patriotism?
Dear editor:
Friday, Sept. 9, as I drive through Eatonton I am appalled as I pass by different flagpoles, some at halfstaff and some at full staff, most notably at the schools, post office, hospital and courthouse. And some government buildings, such as the school board, have no flagpole at all!
The president had issued a proclamation on Sept. 8, that to recognize the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the flag of the United States was to be flown at half-staff “upon all public buildings and grounds … until sunset, on the day of internment,” which will be September 19th.
Studying Georgia and U.S. code, I have become aware of many infractions regarding proper flying of the state and U.S. flags. According to law (GA Code: 45-12-83.1), the display of flags regulations applies to every government agency, which includes every department, board, bureau, commission, public corporation and authority; every county, municipal corporation, school district, or other political subdivision; and every city, county, regional or other authority, among all others “established pursuant to the laws of this state.”
The law in Georgia also states, “any agency which is eligible to receive appropriated state funds shall be required (italics added for emphasis) to display the Georgia state flag. And the same section of law says, “no funds may be made available for expenditure by any agency which is not in compliance with the provisions.”
Georgia state code also goes on to say that the Office of Planning and Budget “shall investigate any allegations of noncompliance” and the Office of the State Treasurer “shall enforce” the code’s provisions. Obviously this is not happening, but it should.
The way we raise our children to be respectful is by example, to respect our flags and what they stand for. It is important for others who travel through our community to see the respect we have for our country, our state and our county.
As a younger person I was raised mostly on military installations and I was taught in school to respect the flag and the laws that regulate its display. And as a tax-paying citizen of Putnam County, I expect my officials here to also have respect for the flag and the laws that govern it because that is a reflection on me and others.
Thank you, Ken Harris