" cindamarie, thanks...I am very glad that you enjoyed it.I loved your early comments as well "

" Hey, guess what I saw at Wal-Mart last night? Napkins with the American flag printed on them!!! Wiping away food with the flag...hmm, great way to celebrate July 4th!! "

" I am awed and humbled by the beauty of your message, Real American. Thank you for posting. Thank you, also, for your service to our country. God bless you, God bless those who are fighting in wars around the world, and God bless America! "

" As a military member who actually has defended our country I like to say, that one of the big things about being a true "American" to me is being tolerant. The most aggravating thing about people in the Middle East to me is that most of them seem to have no tolerance for others opinions and beliefs. Being “American” is believing in our rights, even the right to allow someone else to hate his or her own country, even if the person can't learn to use spell check! In regards to this letter, I do not take offense to a "weathered" flag, I look at it like maybe an old solider that has fought and battled but has still survived. It may be “weathered” but it still stands for it greatness. A weathered flag kind of gets to me, it reminds me of my friends who I served with that have been less fortunate then me. I do take offense to the blatant misuse of the flag though. However I respect others right to do so. I believe the gentlemen in this letter may (understandably) be more upset about his grandson returning to Iraq. Sir, I say to you Godspeed to your Grandson, may he return safely. "

" If we worry about flying the flag correctly, shouldn't we worry about wearing it on two piece swimming suits? What's more offensive? "

" This is the Executive Order regarding flag rules in its entirety. http://www.wi.net/flag.html Pay specific attention to Section 4(d) regarding wearing the flag as apparel and 4(i) regarding using the flag for advertising purposes. That would include printing the flag on any advertisements like, say, Memorial Day Sale ads which I always see printed in papers including this one. "

" By the way, I don't appreciate being called someone who " just live here[s] here to sponge off on the nation's rich culture and way of life." I was born and raised here. Wild speculation about me personally is unnecessary. I happen to have a different opinion on this matter and I see far more important issues facing the nation than my neighbor's tattered flag in the front of his house. If you really have strong opinions about following proper flag etiquette, set an example instead of just bitching about other people. "

" No, I still disagree. Like I said, wearing flag T-shirts and flag apparel is still considered improper flag etiquette. Those little flag stickers that people put on the back of their cars are also improper. They get filthy and covered in crap after a lot of driving. That's no way to treat the flag, is it? But no one thinks of that. Some people just want to pick and choose what they think is unacceptable and then get on everyone else's case about it. Get a life. "

" the people who commented that the person who instigated this article is a busybody are probably not americans who don't have a respect for us patriotism. they just live here to sponge off on the nation's rich culture and way of life. they're also probably the ones who make this place crappy. they don't understand that the flag is the symbol of the us, is very sacred and must be treated with respect at all times. i am not from here originally but i have a lot of respect for the us. it's ok to point out something to your neighbor if it's the right thing to do. here's the flag etiquette that i found online: "When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner." "

" Telling someone to do the right thing is not being a busy body, its being righteous. When people step up and do the right thing, they should be honored. Some examples of doing the right thing include: Wathcing out for your neighbor's home when he isn't there; serving in your country's military (even if the country is divided over the cause); standing up for someone that is being hurt or bullied; or telling your neighbor that they they there good intentions defeat the purpose of honoring the flag. "

" No, it IS about being a busybody. What, should we go up to everyone with a flag shirt or any kind of flag apparel and demand that they remove it? That's considered improper flag etiquette as well. How about all the disgusting flag thong underwear? People will do what they like. It doesn't mean we have to make it our business all the time. "

" We can be democrats, republicans, or any other party, we are all americans. I am a mexican and proud to be an american. I will respect the flag and the soldiers that defend it at battle. All of them in the middle east are heroes!...........I dont approve of the war, but will support any decision made by our leaders in Washington, even though most of the time i dont agree with them. Lets all continue to pray for everyone involved in this crisis, God bless them, God bless the world ,and esp. God bless the FLAG! "

" Wow...That is all I can think of to say about the comments that have been let here...Does anyone out there notice that there seems to be a war going on with these comments? It's almost like another form of that myspace crap that everyone uses to attack each other...WOW! "

" WOW, citizens, we are just talking about a little respect for a flag, not national policy. Just fly Ole' Glory with respect, take her down in the wind or rain, always take her down at night or provide a light to shine on her. And as our friend who initiated this discussion said, properly destroy her when she has served her live. That's all. "

" It is not about being a "busy body", it is however about having respect. Respect for yourself, your country, and all the Americans who have fought and are still fighting for the freedoms we all take for granted. If you want to display a flag and show pride in your country take the time to learn how to do it properly. There is nothing wrong with someone pointing that out. "

" i have to agree with honeybear "

" *eye roll* Why are people in the Valley such busybodies? "

" Oh yeah you think God would ever own a gun vote republican or start a war ? Besides my screen name has nothing to do with my faith , but since you brought it up What part of being made in His image do you not understand ? read your bible , please! you need some divine gidance ........... "

" Did you know that most countrys wont let americans imigrate unless they are very wealthy ? and some not even then . This country is my home and I will continue to fight to return it to what it was and should be . Spelling and grammer , LOL well if thats all you can see in my post then your part of this countrys problem .I am a product of the El Centro school system .imagin what just 1/100% of the war budget would do to improve that system , or health care . Wake up lady YOUR PRESIDENT lied to you and is killing our children and putting us so far in debt that our grand childrens children will still be paying the bill. people like you are the reason the rest of the world hates us , try travling in the rest of the world now days , we are not liked and not just by muslems but by the world in general. Is that somthing to be proud of ? to be thought of has the world biggest bully? "

" Randy: A few thoughts: 1. Learn to write and spell correctly. (Or at least use your computer's spell check) 2. If you are NOT proud to be an American, get out of the country ASAP! We do not need your kind here! 3. Our flag does NOT give us the right to rule the world, but it is MUCH more than a piece of cloth. 4. Despite what your user name says, you are NOT God! You don't even sound like a member of His team! "

" A preemptive war ? Our country has nothing to be proud of .13 kids died yeasterday and for what ? a piece of cloth that gives us the right to rule the world ? I think not. At this time in history any one that is proud to be american is a ignorant fool. In 200 hundred pluse years we have become the people we escaped from .If you want to be a good american wake up and start taking back control from the money grubbing power brokers banks and corrupt politicions .We has americans will empeach a president for oral sex , but keep a lying war monger in office . Its a sick world and we have become the sick leaders of it. I hope your son makes it home has with all our soldiers, They should not be in harmes way and we need to start doing somthing to bring them home . enough is enough "