On Monday, I posted my own opinion about an incident at the Speckled Perch Parade. As a parade entry passed, small American flags were tossed on the ground for children to pick up.

I objected to the flags being tossed on the ground.  I was always taught the U.S. Flag should not touch the ground.

Those giving out the flags could have walked along the parade route and handed the flags directly to the children, or carried the flags in a basket or box and let the kids who wanted one take one as they passed by. If they didn’t have enough people to walk along the parade route, they could have given out the flags from a booth in the park. In fact, on Saturday more than one booth in the park was handing out free flags to anyone who wanted one.

My commentary received a lot of responses, including Facebook posts, in person discussions and phone calls.

Some people agreed with me and thanked me for speaking up. Some people who were at the parade that day said they were also shocked to see flags tossed on the ground.

Some people disagreed with me and saw nothing wrong with flags on the pavement.

Some people accused me of being political. The issue had nothing to do with politics. I would have made the same objections no matter who dropped the flags.  

Some people think I need a vacation. (I agree!)

My reaction to the discussion: I am thrilled that so many people are exercising Freedom of Speech – an important freedom the flag represents!

I am happy that so many people referred to my commentary as appearing “in the newspaper.” It is on the opinion section of the newspaper’s website, southcentralfloridalife.com, not in the print edition. But to some readers, there is no difference. And I agree with that idea. To me, there is no difference. The website is the online part of the newspaper. It’s all the Lake Okeechobee News.

I’m happy that my commentary inspired some people to look up the U.S. Flag Code. I’m happy that it inspired some people to have discussions with their children about what the flag means.

Some people didn’t think the “flag on the ground issue” was important enough to be published on the newspaper website.  But here’s the great thing about the website: It has almost unlimited space. There’s room for everyone’s opinions! Send yours in! If an issue is important enough to you to take a few minutes to  write about it, send it in! It doesn’t matter whether or not the issue is important to others. Community discussion of issues large and small is healthy. We welcome discussion. We welcome debate. Email the newspaper at okeenews@iniusa.org or mail it to Lake Okeechobee News, 311 N.W. Fourth Avenue, Okeechobee, Florida 34974.

Some who responded challenged me, since I care so much about the flag, to take on other related issues, such as the matter of tattered and worn flags, the problem with people not standing up for the flag as the color guard passes, the problem of people not standing for the National Anthem.  Over the past 37 years I have lived in this community, I have written about those issues more than once. And I agree it’s time to bring them up again. These days I tend to focus on researching and writing about other issues  – with a lot of time spent on the Lake Okeechobee environmental issues – but I can make time.

Starting today, I will start making note of any flags that are in torn, tattered and worn – flags that need to be repaired or replaced. I will do what I can to bring attention to this issue. Want to help? If you see a tattered flag, take a photo, write down the address, and email the photo to okeenews@iniusa.org. Flag day is June 14. That would be a good time to bring attention to the problem.

I’ll also put a note on my calendar so that just before Labor Day, I will remember to write about standing up for the flag as the Color Guard passes. Or if someone decides to hold a parade before Labor Day, I’ll write it then.

To everyone who responded: Thank you for taking the time to exercise your  Freedom of Speech. Keep it up! Don't ever let anyone tell you to keep your opinions to yourself.  Your opinions matter.

As Voltaire stated: “I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”