Shredded Flag, Shredded Liberties

This letter to the editor, by Joyce Santo, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on August 14, 2025.

Anyone who travels east through St. Croix County may have noticed the big “Trump Save America” sign on the southeast corner of the Exit 4 intersection. Underneath is a political sign for Brad Schimel, who lost the Wisconsin Supreme Court election to Susan Crawford back in April. There used to be another sign stating Republicans love America, but that has disappeared.

You may also have noticed the American flag flying above the Trump sign is slowly disintegrating, with its ragged edges flapping in the wind. It is interesting that the party that claimed to love America is flying a shredded flag, just like they are shredding our country.

Most of us learned about proper displaying, handling and disposal of our American flag sometime in our youth, either in school, Scouts or a church group. I clearly remember the flag-raising protocol I learned sixty years ago when, as a 5th grader, my classmates and I were given the honor of taking our turns to ceremoniously raise the flag at the start of the school day and lower it at the end of the day. We were taught it was disrespectful to fly the flag after dark unless there was a light shining on it. We learned the correct way to fold the flag and to make sure it never touches the ground.

I checked the U.S. Department of Defense website to see if the protocol for displaying the American flag has changed since I was a kid. But nope, the Public Law from 1942 is still in effect: the American flag should be illuminated if flown at night; clean and damage-free flags should always be used; and when flags are damaged, they should be destroyed in a dignified manner. I’m surprised flag-waving Republican Party members haven’t noticed this breach of protocol and advised the person responsible. As a public service, the VFW Post 10818 in New Richmond will receive and dispose of retired American flags.