Burning flag isn't a freedom the Founders had in mind

Burning flag isn't a freedom the Founders had in mind
EDITOR:
I am writing in regard to the burning of the American flag. I would like to express my thoughts about this disrespectful act, as I am protected by the First Amendment in doing so. Sadly, there are people out there who abuse this freedom and feel that flag burning is their right. My question is, why would someone want to burn their own country's flag?
I love my country and respect every veteran and every person who has served or is even considering serving, protecting and defending it. There is one song that everyone in America should be familiar with, and that is "The Star-Spangled Banner." Obviously our flag has been through and has seen many obstacles and was still standing tall and proud, despite the bombs and destruction surrounding it.
What is the meaning behind burning the flag? Is it just because we have freedom of expression? Are we so full of hatred that we must read between the lines of the amendments? Our leaders, troops, and countrymen have fought for these rights and freedoms, and they carried our flag the whole way with them. The flag is a symbol of pride, respect, hope, becoming united and most importantly it represents the veterans who have willingly given their lives and had put their and their family's lives up on the line in order to fight.
With all that is going on in the world, one would think that the United States of America would be just that, united. Instead, we read in between the lines and try to manipulate every freedom that has been given as a form of a privilege. I can guarantee that our Founding Fathers would have never thought that their own people would use these freedoms in such irrational ways and to their greedy advantage.
My grandfather and my uncles did not serve our country and wave the American flag with pride just to have ignorant people burn everything down. One does not truly understand and know the meaning of our flag until one has carried one through battlefields, or has had family who has fought under the wings of the bald eagle and the embracing cover known as the American flag.
ALEXIS PERRY
Struthers
This Fourth of July was Poland's best in memory
EDITOR:
Poland 4th of July fireworks have been a wonderful community experience for many years. This year's celebration was the best in memory, with shops open, Yellow Creek Theater playing, people out walking all over town, patriotic music playing over the speakers and a fireworks display that would be hard to find anywhere else. I'm sure this was a record number of people in attendance.
I would like to commend Chappie Bair and Tom Duncan for their untiring work to put this into motion each year. Sadly, it is my understanding that this was the final year for this to take place as both men are & quot;burned out & quot; and tired of & quot;soliciting money & quot; for this event. I can't blame them. I'm writing to say thank you from a community that has benefited from their dedication and to ask some group to please step forward and take over this project as it would be such a shame to see this event meet its demise.
PHYLLIS RICCHIUTI
Poland
Correction
The signature was incorrect on a letter printed in Monday's How You See It column regarding a story about the need for doctors to be candid with dying patients. The letter was written by Donna McConnell.