Letters to the Editor for Nov. 13, 2009

No flags flying on Veterans Day?

To the editor:

Today I write with sadness to express my sincere disappointment as I drove down Main Street, returning to my home from a Mount Hope Cemetery visit to pay respect, gratitude and honor to my father-in-law, Richard H. Gushman (Dick Gushman to many longtime residents) on this national day of remembrance of our past and present veterans.

It was with heartfelt sadness I realized that I did not see one American flag displayed outside any local business, whether large or small. I acknowledge the gratitude advertisements by the businesses earlier in the week due to the current schedule of newspaper circulations, but still to see rural downtown America, especially in Baker County, devoid of any American flag on Nov. 11, Veterans Day 2009, was sadly shocking to me!

As I made my tour of neighboring streets to my home, I remained saddened as most homes did not display the American flag either; even though two years in a row, on the Fourth of July, a local business and the Baker High School cheerleader volunteers have distributed free to each home a small red, white and blue American flag on a display stick.

It takes such a small amount of your time to say or show a “thank you” to the individuals who have sacrificed in many different ways to protect our freedom, values and history, that I cannot even begin to understand why there were no flags on Main Street, Baker City, Baker County, USA today! Can anyone explain that to me? What is the cost of an American flag? Minimal, compared to not having the privileged right to display it!

If you value the protected rights that you have as a citizen of this country, please consider my thoughts, and show some evidence of American patriotism by not hesitating to display “Old Glory” in a proper, respectful manner.

Thank you for allowing me to express my community disappointment today.

Cheryl A. Gushman

Baker City