Again, as I drive a great deal for my real job, I see and observe a lot. Perhaps it is the tedium, or the fact I should have been on some form of ADD medication, but I notice these little oddities.

Why is it I have to call my local Walmart to remind them every time the US Flag should be flying at half staff? Six US presidents could die, and Old Glory would be all the way up to the finial. On my last inspection tour at the Darien Walmart, the first thing I see when I walk are newspapers stands.....hmmm.....news of significant loss prompting lowering of the flag MIGHT be found there....

As I head past the checkout aisles, I notice that there are People and Us magazines....as trite and empty as they are, they still at least have news a week old. And considering no one knows WHEN to raise the flag back to full, they could still lower theirs and appear as compliant.

Ahhh...my target...electronics! Hey wait....TV's and radios! Perhaps some enlightenment could be found here!

After the death of Gerald Ford, I was in Milwaukee and driving past the local American TV and Appliance Store.....AMERICAN TV and Appliance.....and guess where their flag was? Yep....full mast as well.

Not to mention the time I had to call yet another big box store, and inform them that their American flag was now comprised of shreds of two stripes and a field of stars that looked more like a Nova special on black holes.

My message? Shame on you....I believe one of the first duties of any American, and any American business, is to properly display Old Glory. Any local VFW chapter would gladly assist you in proper display, and many even offer ceremonial disposal of the Red, White and Blue should she fall into disrepair.

Selling items with the label "Proudly Made in the USA" is not enough....try taking care of the flag under whose protection you can make your profits.