Today is Flag Day, but an official at state V-F-W headquarters is worried the surge of patriotic fervor seen after 9/11 has faded.Jerry Frederickson, state adjutant quartermaster for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, says his office was swamped with flag orders and questions about proper display of the flag in the days after the terrorist attacks, but he says folks have lost touch with that patriotism. Frederickson sees lots of tattered flags flying that shouldn’t be unfurled. Frederickson says a faded or torn flag should be properly destroyed.The old flag should be folded into a triangle and burned in a hot fire. The ashes should be buried. Frederickson sees another problem: when a flag’s flown at night, it should be illuminated.An Eagle Scout has taken 40 old flags from the state V-F-W headquarters and plans to fold ’em, burn ’em and bury the ashes in a special ceremony today in Mitchellville. There are 191 V-F-W posts around the state, and each can offer tips on the proper display and disposal of the American flag.
