Recently, I had reason to walk around part of downtown Lewiston. I was appalled at the state of the nation’s flag at numerous public places and businesses. Tattered and faded flags have no business flying. To me, it shows indifference to the emblem that represents the United States.

After many years of military service and travels to many different countries in the world, I have never seen the disrespect shown to a nation’s flag, as in our own country. In the 1960s-70s, there were many acts of desecrating the flag in rebellion to what what going on at the time, but it seems to have taken until now for it to have become a commonplace occurrence due to apathy.

If people or businesses can’t replace flags that need to be replaced, they should quit flying flags. Visitors from other countries that pass through this area can’t help but notice the neglect.

Alan Elze, Auburn