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Flag excuse appalling

A letter of response on article pertaining to flag etiquette at Lewis and Clark High School over Memorial Day weekend from Stephen Latoszek, TSGt, USAF, Ret.

The remarks made by Mark Anderson, district associate superintendent, in answering why the American flag was not lowered to half-staff on Memorial Day weekend is both appalling and insulting. Overtime? Really? Do he not have any FTEs on salary that could have performed the flag lowering so that you would not have had to pay overtime? Does he not have a protocol official versed in this area to ensure that flag etiquette is adhered to? He undoubtedly has several students at “LC” that are sons and daughters of military personnel, from all the different branches of the Armed Forces, that would be more than happy to ensure daily flag etiquette is followed, and you know what? He would not have to pay them overtime.

Tell that excuse to the men and women of our military, throughout our nation’s history, that died without collecting overtime. He should have just admitted that a mistake was made. Make an apology to the military community and the civilian community. Then assure them that an incident like this, if it were within his power to prevent, would not happen again. If he wishes, I would be more than happy to come to the office and explain flag etiquette, from its inception, and I will not ask for overtime.

Perry W. Smith, MSgt, USAF, retired

Spokane

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