Published: April 22, 2008 09:54 am      

Neighbor won’t be returning flag

This is an open letter to my neighbor on Roosevelt Street.

I have your flag. You know the one I'm talking about, the American flag you left out with your garbage, the American flag that was covered in your fast food wrappers, and other household garbage.

I’m ashamed to admit it, but I had driven by that flag earlier in the day, and didn’t stop because it was raining hard and I didn’t want to get wet. That night as I lay in my bed and listened to the rain it gnawed at me that the greatest symbol of this country was lying on the ground, covered in garbage and mud. I got out of bed, threw on my jeans and a jacket, and I walked down the alley and I took your flag.

You won’t be getting it back.

You don’t deserve it back.

I’m a proud granddaughter, niece and daughter-in-law of men who served in the military. I was a military wife for four years stationed at Forts Knox, Leonard Wood, and Bragg. What you did by throwing the flag in the garbage, was unforgivable. You’ve disrespected the men and women who wear the badge of a police officer or firefighter. You’ve turned your back on the men and women who serve this country in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. You’ve slapped the face of every child who places their hand over their heart as they say the Pledge of Allegiance.

You’ve mocked every parent that has had to bury a child killed in war. But know this…I’ve dried your flag, I’ve brushed off the dirt, and the garbage, and I will see to it that your flag is properly disposed of. It’s my duty as a wife, a mother, a daughter, a granddaughter, a niece and as a blessed citizen of this great nation.

It should have been yours.

Becci Tiesman-Day,

Clinton