Opinion: Stealing flag is a low blow

At around 2 a.m. on Jan. 20 some young offenders stole the U.S. flag off our porch. Not only did they steal it; they walked down the street and burned the flag.

I am currently away training in the southwest U.S. for an upcoming deployment. I have been to the Mideast four times since 2000. The flag means everything to my wife and kids. They respect the flag and everything it stands for. I realize my serving gives the offenders the freedom in this state to burn the flag. I do hope we can change this law, especially when they steal someone's flag to do this. I do hope the judge gives them community service of working in and around Springfield cleaning up. I also hope they have to rise at 5 a.m. every morning and say the Pledge of Allegiance downtown. Thankfully the Springfield Police Department caught them in the act. The flag will soon again fly proudly on our porch.

WALTER DUNCANSON

Springfield

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100129/OPINION02/1290303