Dear Editor:
While running errands on Saturday afternoon in Jefferson City, I was very disappointed to see how many buildings (both public and private) had failed to lower their flags to half-staff in memory of the victims of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn.
The Jefferson City Annex on Monroe Street, Simonsen 9th Grade Center, and the Boys and Girls Club are just a few of the many examples I could name. The shooting occurred early Friday morning, so more than 24 hours had passed and they still hadn't bothered to lower their flags.
Two of the organizations mentioned above deal exclusively with children, so I find it especially offensive that they chose not to honor the 20 victims of this horrible tragedy that were young children aged 5 to 8. While I understand there may not be a legal requirement for non-federal buildings to fly their flags at half-staff, the sheer magnitude of this terrible event deserves recognition from everyone in my opinion.
It is my belief that every flag in America should be flying at half-staff during this time to show the residents of Newtown we all share in their sorrow at this senseless act and acknowledge that an event like this can happen anywhere in America at any time.