Dear Editor:

I am writing to express my dismay at a recent photo you published in a news article on Matthew Forgues, Olympic hopeful. My concern is with the photo of Forgues and another athlete wrapped in the United States flag.

In regards to the U.S. Flag Code, I feel the following subsections under the section, Respect for (the) flag, apply:

(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.

(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

Clearly, the flag is being “worn” or used as a “costume or athletic uniform.” Some might call it a great display of patriotism, however, it is plainly disrespect to the flag.

As a retired United States Air Force senior non-commissioned officer who served during the Vietnam and Gulf wars, I find the photo to be downright distasteful.

MSgt Stan Dewsnap, USAF (Ret)

Wiscasset