Kudos to our mayor, Nicole LaChapelle for her actions regarding the flying of the American flag over Nashawannuk Pond. I've been living in Easthampton for 22 years and seeing the flag flying in such a prominent place every summer has given me a sense of pride in the city I call home. I hope the tradition can continue under the proper circumstances that honor the flag and what it stands for. At the same time, I would like to see everyone who displays the flag do so with the dignity it deserves. The American Legion website lists the code for correct flying of the American flag and includes the following: "The flag should never be used in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way." Too many times in the recent past, I have seen a huge flag affixed on the back of a vehicle torn at the edges and caked with dirt and grime. I imagine people who do this consider themselves “patriots,” but do they bring the flag in at night or keep it illuminated in their driveway? The American flag belongs to all of us, not just those on one end of the political spectrum.

Josh Rosenblatt

Easthampton