No disrespect intended

I too am a veteran of the United States Armed Forces.

In addition, for more than 60 years, I have served as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America, during which time I have taught flag etiquette based on the Flag Code (4 USC) to hundreds of youth. I am confused when people object so vociferously to athletes and others who kneel during the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” while accepting so many other actions that are disrespectful of our national emblem.

The code says that the pledge, “should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag” (§4). It also says, (§8 Respect for Flag), “The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.”

Therefore, a flag with a red, blue or black stripe honoring firefighters, police or EMTs is as much a violation of the spirit of the Flag Code as is kneeling during the recitation of the pledge or the singing of the anthem.

Actually, both honor the flag and the ideals it represents. Both expressions are protected speech under the First Amendment.

The colored stripes on a flag honor the service of those who protect us while preserving and defending the rights represented by the flag. There is no intent to disrespect the flag in doing this.

Kneeling, which is generally regarded as prayerful, is a way for those who believe that our nation falls short of providing equal rights to all of its citizens to express that belief in a way that expresses faith in those ideals and the hope that we will, as a nation, live up to the ideals we espouse. There is no intent to disrespect the flag in doing this.

Michael A. Poretsky, Boca Raton