American Flag: How Long May It Wave?

The first American flag symbol to appear ubiquitously on automobiles was the flag decal, which proliferated during the Vietnam War. The caption was usually, “Long May It Wave” or “America: Love It or Leave It.” Considering how cynical and distracted we’ve become in the quarter-century following that unpopular war, who would have thought we’d see the day when drivers displayed actual flags on their cars?

When will the time come to remove those flags, and will we suffer a psychological letdown? Our leaders have warned us that the war against terrorism could last for years. Will we be expected to display the flags until it’s officially over? Until Osama bin Laden is declared dead? Will we, in Southern California, begin to remove them after the first rainstorm?

Or will we treat the flag display as a memorial to the World Trade Center and Pentagon dead and remove them as soon as all the victims are identified and properly eulogized?

David Macaray

Rowland Heights

Memo to all those newly patriotic, flag-waving motorists out there: Why not do a real service for the nation? Shelve the flags, hang up your cell phone, pull out your owner’s manual and learn how to use your turn signal.

Jim Mallon

San Luis Obispo