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Editor: I recently went with my daughter, a new Florida resident and veteran of the U.S. armed forces, to obtain her driver's license and register to vote at the U.S. 98 Florida Highway Patrol building. The American flag in front of the property was not hanging proudly, but rather was ripped and faded. We were not only surprised, but deeply saddened to see our nation's flag in such a disgraceful condition and representing a state-funded operation.
I voiced my anger to two license bureau employees, who agreed with me 100 percent, but added they were not the ones who had any control over the matter. I was told by one of them that the governor's office was responsible for replacing that Old Glory.
I will follow up on getting the flag replaced, and watching for other Old Glorys in Hernando County from now on.
Young people applying for their first driving privilege, or registering to vote for the first time, should not be exposed to a torn and battered American flag. I take great offense that the state of Florida offers our community a flag in shambles. How can young folks possibly take pride in such shabbiness?
We seniors so often hastily criticize "kids," don't we? Who is irresponsible for offering that ugly flag to the "kids?"
Re: Veteran takes fire district to task, Aug. 3 Times:
Editor: I do wonder why your newspaper would give any space to a non-newsworthy item. It appears to me that Rick Jordan has an ax to grind with Spring Hill Fire Rescue District Chief J.J. Morrison.
As a retired captain from a large New York city, I can tell you there are many people who live in the same home as a higher-ranking officer in the same department. When it comes to giving orders and having them carried out, there is no time (on the fire grounds) to even think about who lives with whom. Most of the time in large cities the department tries not to have related people work on the same shift, if possible, in case of a major disaster like 9/11, so they don't wipe out a whole family at once.
Mr. Jordan, stop trying to put the chief and the fire department in a bad light.
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