Condition of U.S. flag irritates WW II vet

CHUCK ROGERS/The Acorn TIME TO RETIRE--Old Glory does its best to continue to fly high while holding on by a tangled rope. This almost rag-like American flag flies over the parking area of an Agoura Hills shopping center.

By Michael Picarella

Acorn Staff Writer

Generations of U.S. military servicemen and women have fought and died for the American flag. Old Glory, a symbol of freedom, is held in high regard by many veterans and other citizens alike. Grade school students still say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning as a reminder of what the flag represents.

But sometimes, the U.S. flag is forgotten.

Frederick B. Anderson, who lives in Agoura Hills and served in the U.S. Navy during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, is angry about what he considers abuse of an American flag that waves above Reyes Adobe Plaza on Canwood Street, west of Reyes Adobe Road in Agoura Hills.

The flag looks old. It’s faded, frayed and torn, and hangs only by the top portion.

Anderson said the flag can’t be taken down because the ropes that secure it are malfunctioning. He tried to lower the flag himself and found that the return cord had wrapped around the pole too many times. Anderson asked his friends if they could lower the flag and they couldn’t either.

When Anderson asked storeowners in the shopping center who takes care of the flag, no one had an answer.

"It looks like a dirty shirt out there," said Anderson. He believes the flag’s never been taken down since it was originally hoisted. It’s been out there in rain and heat, during the days and throughout the nights, according to Anderson.

Richard Pratt, a trustee of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Canoga Park, said the American flag shouldn’t be flown at nighttime unless it’s properly lit. Anderson said that the Reyes Adobe Plaza flag is lit, but with an unsatisfactory illumination.

A new flag should fly there and it should either be taken down at sunset and raised at sunrise every day or it needs bright new lights, Anderson said.

If a new flag replaces the old one, proper retirement is necessary for a faded and tattered flag. Pratt said that there’s an appropriate ceremony and proper burning procedure. If anyone has a weather- beaten Stars and Stripes, the flag can be dropped off at any Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, VFW or Disabled America of Veterans (DAV) facility and they’ll take care of it, according to Pratt.

The Elks Lodge in Thousand Oaks at 158 Old School Road has an annual ceremony to properly dispose of U.S. flags. Call (805) 496-2477 for information.

If it looks faded or tattered to anyone, then any U.S. flag is a candidate for retirement, according to Pratt.

When asked if anyone else was disgusted by the treatment of the flag in the Reyes Adobe Plaza, Anderson responded by saying 2 million VFW members are upset.

"Anyone who fought for this country should have big feelings," said Anderson. Whether civilians notice the flag for themselves or not, Anderson said that veterans don’t like it when the flag is mistreated.

Anderson would like something done about this situation.

CBM property managers have already ordered a new flag.

"They’ll definitely put the new flag up," said Todd Nathanson of CBM. A new flag is expected to fly in the immediate future.