Flying the U.S. flag is, for many Americans, a show of support and pride in their country. They look at the flag and see an emblem honoring the land of the free and the home of the brave. By flying it, they are not only honoring those ideals, but the people who have fought and died for them.
For others, the flag is nothing but a sore reminder of everything that they don't like about America. They might support a flag burning, but they can't stand the sight of someone else taking pride in a symbol they've come to hate.
In Connecticut, some patriots have gotten a bundle in the mail from people who find the flag offensive. Residents of a Marlborough community who fly flags outside their homes were the target of hate mail.
Ashley Meyer, who has dotted her property line with Old Glory in a variety of sizes, says they show her love for her country, and honor friends and family members who have served in the military. She was surprised to find a package in her mailbox on Sunday full of anti-flag sentiments.
Meyer flips through page after page of articles, bulletins and insults about America. Someone diligently highlighted the print-outs for emphasis. One is a news report about the number of Iraqis who have died in the war. One print-out is about drones used in the Iraq war. One gives statistics on the national debt. Another makes comments about the 'typical, ignorant flag supporter', while another is a quote from Mark Twain that reads, "Never underestimate the Power of Ignorant People in large numbers."
"Someone took all this time to send all this through the mail. Clearly, they have no patriotism and aren't proud of our country," the homeowner said.
Another local resident who hangs the flag received the same bundle. Ken Hjulstrom, whose father fought was a veteran of World War II and his son is an Iraq War veteran. He was surprised by the content of the stuffed envelope.
“This I think is really over the top in terms on content,” Hjulstrom said.
The anti-patriotic literature, he says, is not only offensive to Americans, but is anti-Semitic and racist.
Whoever sent the literature through the mail probably thought they were teaching ‘ignorant’ Americans a lesson, but they may be the ignorant ones. Patriots believe that the mail sender is the one who is ignorant of facts. Neither resident of Marlborough has plans to remove their flags. In fact, they're only more determined to fly the flag in the face of such hatred for the country.
“I hope everybody in Connecticut puts flags up everywhere just to show people like this who are so hateful that we need to band together,” Meyer said.
Meyer and Hjulstom notified the local authorities about the hate mail. The state troopers are trying to track down the person that sent the bundle. They believe more local flag-flyers probably have received the same thing.
Source: Independent Journal Review, WFSB
Photo: WFSB Screenshot
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