OPINION:
Based only what is written in Bill Gertz’s March 16 (“Inside the Ring”) column, the U.S. flag has been restricted from any further use on the caskets of military retired and veterans.
According to the column, Chris Meagher, assistant defense secretary for public affairs, stated in his order to chiefs of services’ public affairs offices that “the country’s flag must never be carried flat or horizontally” and “should never touch anything below, such as the ground, the floor water or merchandise.”
The terms “must never” and “should never” do not allow for exceptions, which are very likely to come up. A professional Defense Department spokesman should be more careful with his words.
JAMES KOUT
Bowie, Maryland
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