ABC-7 Listens: 07.25.15

etiquette in abc-7 listens. the president caught some heat this week for not immediately calling for flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the 5 service men killed in a cowardly attack in tennessee last week. by tuesday though the white house reversed course and the president called for flags to fly at half-staff until sunset saturday. traditionally president’s have u-s flags fly at half- staff every memorial day, december 7th – the anniversary of pearl harbor, on 9-11 and on holidays honoring fallen firefighters and police officers. for everything else it’s at the president’s discretion … and president obama has done it for some mass murders in the past, like the fort hood killings. that brings us to chris … a u-s veteran who fears people are disrespecting the flag. he wants to make sure it’s being lowered at sunset and if not … properly lit. he wrote to us after seeing the flag flying after sunset from his wife’s hospital room. “when i finally found a guard, he disregarded me and my service saying that they are understaffed and couldn’t get to the flag in time. “no matter the reason … the american flag needs to be lowered when the sun sets. “i brin this to your attention because i was also wondering how many other companies do not follow the laws on how to properly maintain and display the american flag?” chris, i fear it’s more common than we think. there are lots of rules for the u-s flag … it should never be used as drapery, used for advertising or be part of a costume or uniform … just to name a few. my advice chris and to all our viewers … if you see what you’d consider disrespect for the flag let the business owner know and if that doesn’t get you anywhere … let us know. you can email us at k-v-i-a at k-v-i-a dot com. we also have a link to flag etiquette at k-v-i-a dot com. rick cabrera. abc-7 listens. as the blue creek fire in washington state continues to burn- the community is coming together