Would you be offended if you received this letter?

Question

We attended a Christmas Parade on Saturday and I found it necessary to write this letter -- would you be offended if you received it or were the person/group it was written about?
Dear Rebecca:
I must congratulate you on another fine Christmas Pageant. It was most enjoyable and we were grateful the rains held off during the procession.
I do have one concern however, and wish to address this through you instead of through a letter to the editor. A letter to the editor would only embarrass those who were involved and that is not my intention. My intention is to educate. I hope you will relay this concern on to the appropriate people. I know that lack of education is what created the circumstances of which I am about to write, so I hope you and they will bear with me.
I do not know the name of the group that marched. However, each member of the group carried a flag from a different country.

As I watched in absolute disbelief, the flag of the United States was dragged on the ground not once but several times while waiting in front of the announcer's position. It took all of my reserve not to run out to that person and literally tear the flag of my country from her hands. This was done because the person carrying the flag of my country was not educated as to the proper protocol. Here I quote from the protocols of both nations:
The Australian National Flag should be displayed only in a manner befitting the national emblem. It should not be subjected to indignity or displayed in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign. The Flag normally takes precedence over all other national flags when flown in Australia. It should always be flown aloft and free and should not be allowed to fall or lie upon the ground.
The American Flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
This may sound trivial to some, but I strongly

feel that anyone carrying any flag should be educated in how to handle that flag with respect. A country is a living thing, and the flag repesents that country, therefore the flag should be considered a living thing.
If the young people who carry the flags for that group are too small to carry a regular sized 3 foot by 5 foot flag of any nation, then a smaller flag should be purchased so that the flag will not drag or be lower than the carrier is tall.
For information purpose, the same goes for the Australian Flag; it is neither to be dragged or set upon the ground either; but I do see this happening with regularity.
Please advise the groups that display flags (and especially this particular group) of my concern. I am not trying to be difficult, but if each of us treats the other with respect, then our world stands a chance of becoming a better place for all.
Sincerely,

I SHOULD REITERATE, I did NOT receive this letter, I wrote this letter to the person in charge of the parade.

Stella: good point, but did not get the name of the organization that was sponsoring this, and thought going through the parade organizer would be the say to go -- as I received a rather brush off reply, which I also consider disrespectful, I did send my letter to the editor of the paper. I don't usually get on a soap box, but my flag is a symbol of my country and it is a country I miss terribly.

itoshi_I thank you for your comments, you will note later in my letter I stated that the reason inappropriateness was because the flag bearers had not been properly educated with regards to protocol. When you honor another country, you must obey their protocols, and it is up to the person organizing that to make certain this is followed. I must honor the protocols of the country I reside in or any country I travel in. If not, I make my country, the USA look bad.

Answer 1

Way too much wordage there, but I agree with your point about the flag being treated with respect. I would write the letter to the editor instead, those responsible NEED to be embarrassed, if that's what it takes, but again, condense the letter.

Answer 2

I think this letter will be most effective if it was sent to a person who was actually in charge of the flag bearers. In a parade the people who carried flags may have been some independent organization completely unrelated to the parade organizers. If the person who received the letter was not directly responsible for the flag bearers, she will likely have little ability to make any changes to the flag-carrying practices in any future parade, and will therefore probably just disregard the letter. If this were me, I would probably not be too upset but just say something like, "Psht, oh well!"

I found the letter quite long and I suspect that you might be able to meet your goals with a briefer letter.

Answer 3

My father did not fight in WWII and I did not spend 18 months in Vietnam for some moron to drag MY flag on the ground. I do not find this letter offensive. What I do find offensive is letting people be in charge that has no respect for MY country.If the flag was on the ground in front of the announcer, it was the announcers responsibility to correct the problem right then. It was any true Americans responsibility to correct the problem when they seen MY flag on the ground. This may irritate some people, but I personally don't give a crap. I did not watch my friends die to be concerned about your feelings.

Answer 4

I think that was a most appropriate way to handle the issue. I would also have been greatly offended by such a disrespectful display. Anyone carrying national flags should be educated as to the protocol of the occasion. Nothing should be left out of your letter.

Answer 5

You were right to bring it up to the coordinator. It is the coordinator responsibility to see that everything is done correctly. The fault lies with the coordinator witch is why that person was offended, it was pointed out that the job was being mishandled. You were correct in doing so. I would be upset and offended to see the Flag of my country being disrespected, and that's what they were doing, unintentionally being disrespectful. If a country is trying to honor other countries then they should learn the proper way of doing things. I applaud you for your letter and that you forwarded it on to the editer after getting a rude response from the coordinator. If someone is doing something they should do it the right way and if they don't know how to do it they need to step down and let someone else handle it, no matter what it is.

Answer 6

No I would not be offended. I would see it as a growth opportunity and use the information for the next parade.
Flags should be treated with respect for all that they represent. Don't take it personally.

Answer 7

I do not find this letter offensive . I do find the flag on the ground offensive. Thank you for being a concerned American. I'm glad you finally got it to the appropriate authority. FIVE STARS...

Answer 8

I think you have a point about national pride and how your flag should be handled. Yes, there are people all over the world who are not as educated as you are about flag etiquette. I commend you for being so knowledgable. But because not everyone is equally informed, I think you need to tone down the harping in your letter. Simply say in your letter that you were offended and that better education regarding handling of flags should have taken place prior to the pageant. Just mention that you wanted to bring it to their attention. Leave it at that. The more you rant and rave, the less credibility you will have.

Answer 9

I do believe your letter borders on offensive. It is not the point of your letter that offends but the way in which you get to your point.

You wrote:
"I do have one concern however, and wish to address this through you instead of through a letter to the editor. A letter to the editor would only embarrass those who were involved and that is not my intention. My intention is to educate."

"I know that lack of education is what created the circumstances of which I am about to write, so I hope you and they will bear with me."

None of the above is necessary. Greet your reader, state your concerns, place your request then thank your reader for their attention to this issue. I agree with your concern on their actions however I hope the letter is edited before it is mailed so its impact is not lost.

Answer 10

your purpose was good. but there are sensitive people. maybe better if you brought up the matter with the concerned person ( ex, the organizer, etc) so that that they will be the one to remind that group/educate them as well with regards to flag bearing. sometimes people are blinded by their false pride and think that ur good purpose is somekind of unsolicited advice.

we are all aware that we can't please everybody. i cant see offensive move in your part. its not only about ur personal feelings, but yes, its educating them also. and to those who have read this item, it will remind us abt that. its up to them how they will react abt ur letter... as long as you have pointed out your good intention. (but im sure whatever their reaction be, they have learned and will get ur point)