FARMINGTON – The community is invited to participate in a flag rally Saturday in front of the post office that’s meant to show support for U.S. troops.

Charles Bennett, district commander for the American Legion, said Tuesday that people can bring a flag or sign to hold during the one-hour rally planned for 9 a.m. Saturday. Bennett has prepared some “Support our troops” signs, as well as some “You’re not going to walk on the flag” signs, a reference to last month’s exhibit held at the University of Maine at Farmington when senior Susan Crane, 40, of Auburn decided to spread American flags across the floor of the Student Center hall in a zigzag pattern to see if people would step around them or on them.

The project was meant to be a social experiment to see how people respond to the flag, UMF President Theo Kalikow has said.

While not planned in response to the UMF exhibit, Bennett said the local legion, Post 28, likes to honor the flag, but he still expressed strong feelings about the exhibit.

“We spend thousands to go into the schools and teach fourth- and fifth-graders flag etiquette, including how to fold the flag and to not let it touch the ground and to not desecrate it, then the college turns around and does quite the opposite,” he said.

With Memorial Day, a time to honor veterans, a week away from the rally, Bennett felt it would be a good eye-opener as the public gathers to honor the flag.

Similar rallies have been held at different times in the past, especially after the start of the Iraq war, he said.

“How quickly people forget,” he added.

UMF graduation ceremonies are also planned for Saturday morning and will commence at 10:30 a.m.

Bennett’s stand against the exhibit last month has brought him invitations to speak about the issue. He has been selective about those he attended, but did open the state Republican Convention last weekend by leading the Pledge of Allegiance, he said.

He has also been honored by the national American Legion organization and recently was flown to Indianapolis for a meal and program.