Dear Editor:
A couple of weeks ago my grandpa found an American flag in a dumpster full of garbage, and he gave it to me so my Boy Scout troop could retire it properly.
It is disrespectful to throw away an American flag. It also offends me to hear or even see how a symbol of our nation and the people who fought for, and sometimes died for, our freedom was thrown away like trash instead of being retired in a proper and respectful way.
If you have an old, dirty, torn-up flag that needs to be retired, you should give it to the Boy Scouts of America or a veterans' group, and they will retire it with the respect and dignity it deserves. Please don't throw it away.
This incident upset me and I thought this was a good way to educate people and complete one of my requirements for a merit badge by writing to the editor.
Thank you.