Archie Mayes of Bedford (a Fort Worth suburb) is a patriotic guy. To demonstrate that patriotism, the 87 year-old Army veteran has been flying an American flag on his front porch.
Now this may surprise some right-wingers, but as a liberal I like this display of patriotism. It wouldn't hurt if more Americans did the same. But evidently, there is a "grinch" in Mr. Mayes' neighborhood.
Last Monday about 3:30am, someone stole the flag, and that wasn't the first time. Since last February, the thief has stolen eight flags from Mr. Mayes. Mayes said, "I don't know if it's a fixation on me or the flag. Or it's plain mean."
I vote for mean. Why else would someone keep stealing the poor man's flag? After the seventh one was stolen, Mayes put up a video camera. Hopefully, the police can use the image it captured to nab the suspect.
Mayes says he's going to get another flag and continue to fly it. However, he said he's no longer going to fly it at night.
I do have to wonder though -- why didn't someone remind Mr. Mayes last February that the flag is not supposed to be flown at night? That could have saved him at least seven flags.
It can be flown at night, as long as it is illuminated.
ReplyDeleteReally you can do whatever you want with your flag. There are no laws the govern the treatment of a flag.
I'm going with mean, too. That's just wrong.
ReplyDeleteDepending on the position on his porch, a porch light could illuminate the flag enough to meet the U.S. Flag Code. It only says, "properly illuminated" in Section 7(a)
The U.S. Flag Code is the law in dealing with the U.S. flag, but when enacted in December 1942 by the Congress of the United States, penalties and fines were removed, making it a Code of Honor.
In looking around this website, we probably have little in common (other than the Texas Panhandle) in thoughts or beliefs, but we agree on this one. Good call.
I hope they catch the people stealing from this gentleman.
Thanks for dropping by, Larry.
ReplyDelete