Letter to the editor: Flying flag upside down is disrespectful

I noticed some local residents have been flying the U.S. flag outside their homes upside down. I believe some people feel this a way of protesting or expressing dissatisfaction with current U.S. officials and policies.

While it is legal to express yourself in whatever way you so choose, it is disrespectful to fly an American flag upside down unless in a life-or-death situation, according to the United States Code.

I don’t know if these people have ever served this great nation of ours in uniform. If they had, maybe then they would understand the message this act conveys and the disrespect they are exhibiting to our national flag and to citizens like me who served overseas under it.

I doubt they or their house are in dire distress or experiencing “extreme danger to life or property,” as described in the U.S. Code. There certainly are other ways to express one’s political unhappiness and frustration. Before commencing such displays, ask yourself: How did you feel when athletes were kneeling in front of this flag? How would you feel if someone was burning this flag? Flying it upside down without “extreme danger to life or property” is a political stunt, just as kneeling and burning our flag are.

To those flying our flag upside down, I politely ask that you reraise it and display it in a respectful manner, in accordance with the U.S. Code.

Bill Marx

Delmont

The writer is a former Marine and currently is serving in the Army. He is a member of Delmont Borough Council.