Letter: Real estate agents intrude with flags

Re: “Tattered flag sends the wrong signal,” May 27. This is to appreciate Josiah and Shannon Boggs’ concern for flag etiquette, and for being “mindful of that powerful symbol.”

We would echo that with concern for the plethora of tiny flags stapled or glued on wooden sticks that sprout from the ground in private residential right-of-ways, unsolicited and unexpected, neighborhood-wide in the Riverside Rancho around the Fourth of July, planted by eager-beaver Burbank and Glendale real estate agents, with their business fliers attached.

Commerce meets patriotism? Aside from the intrusion of unrequested flags with business cards attached, in the days following the holiday they are not retrieved, and most are left to fall over, get dirty and wet, break, tear, end up in curb gutters, and weekly gardeners must contend with them.

Worse, one Realtor stuck plastic red, white, and blue flag-themed pinwheels in the right-of-ways. Sorry, but these quickly became unsightly and irritating.

It’s one thing for Realtors to leave promotional fliers inserted into a residential gate or entryway, and better if they’re mailed. The flag and pinwheel “gifts” go unappreciated and can end up as litter.

Folks who enjoy observing patriotic holidays displaying the American flag on their private property generally have a knowledge of flag etiquette. They know when and how to remove, store and preserve them.

Joanne Hedge
Glendale