Opinions vary on flag display

Red flags have been raised by some Bourbon County veterans after the USD 234 accepted a recent gift donated by two local companies.

On Feb. 13, USD 234 board members in a special meeting, and by a vote of 5-1, approved the acceptance of a large United States flag, which includes a display case at the top prominently featuring the names of two local companies, Skitch's, Inc., and Twister Trailer. Also printed on the display case is the phrase "Tiger Proud!" -- a reference to Fort Scott High School's fan base.

Kevin "Skitch" Allen owns and operates a local hauling and excavation business, while Twister Trailer is a local trailer manufacturer headquartered just west of Fort Scott on U.S. 54.

The lone "no" vote came from board member Gary Billionis. Board Member Michelle Parker was absent from the meeting.

Billionis expressed concern with the advertising associated with the gift. He said he has researched the U.S. flag code and feels it is wrong to have an advertising sign attached to the flag, as it takes the focus off of the flag. "I'd like to see some other type of recognition for these two businesses. Advertising on the U.S. flag puts it above the flag," he said. "As a veteran, this bothers me and I vote no."

Billionis abruptly left the meeting after the vote, but prior to the conclusion of the board's special agenda.

Allen was present during the board's discussion and vote on the matter. He said he and some of his employees helped work on the flag project. Later that evening, the donated flag was lowered from the rafters during the FSHS Tiger basketball games in the FSHS gym.

During the board meeting, Allen said he had talked to some area veterans and said they had no concerns with the project.

The Tribune on Wednesday spoke with five local veterans who have mixed reactions regarding the issue.

Fort Scott resident Bill Hall, who served on active duty with the Navy from 1959-64, supports the donation.

"I think it's a wonderful thing," Hall said. "I participated in the presentation at the ball game. I looked up at it and saw Skitch's name. I really couldn't even read the ends (of the display case) and thought it was a manufacturer's thing. And that's as far as I went with it mentally. I was so enthralled with the flag and what it represented and what it must look like to those kids. I never even thought about it. I think it's a beautiful thing. What a great display."

Hall said the topic should be viewed as a school board issue at this point.

"I am not going to march on Washington over this thing," he said.

Military veteran Ken Lyon disagrees with the board's approval of the gift. Lyon wrote a letter to Diane Gross, USD 234 superintendent, voicing his concerns about the display of the flag.

In the letter, which Lyon made available to The Tribune, he states "I believe the USD Board of Education erred in their approval of the display and should reevaluate their position. The U.S. flag code, under the paragraph "Respect for flag," sub. (i), states: The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever." The paragraph further states: Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown. The casing suspending the flag when displayed isn't by definition a staff or halyard, but the intent of the paragraph is clearly intended to restrict advertising from any means from which the flag is displayed. Therefore, the advertising on the suspended casing violates the flag code approved by Congress. To ignore the intent shows a lack of respect by the school to our students and to the many out of town visitors attending events in the facility."

Lyon was a member of the Air Force from 1955-84.

"Clearly, the case that the flag is hanging from is not a staff nor is it a halyard," Lyon told The Tribune. "In my view, based on that particular paragraph, it's in violation of the flag code. Because the casing in which the flag is suspended clearly is for advertising for the two companies that funded it, and it's very noticeable. To me, it clearly does not comply with the U.S. flag code, as approved by Congress."

Lyon said he thinks the advertisements on the display case are "inappropriate."

"I think the advertisers who paid for the flag, certainly should be commended and recognized for making that donation to the school," he said. "But I think the recognition could probably be done in some other way than advertising their companies across the top of the casing. That's my view."

Fort Scott resident Jim Scott supports the donation of the gift to the school district.

"It's just on the encasing and not on the flag itself, and I don't have a problem with it at all," Scott said. "And not only do I not have a problem with it, I appreciate the willingness of companies to put money out on behalf of the community to donate, without creating an expense for the community."

Scott completed three tours of duty during the Vietnam War, serving in the Air Force from 1964-70. Scott later served in the Army as well.

"Quite honestly, I'm one of those people who wants to know who the companies are that donate money like that," he said. "I love seeing who's doing something like that, and being part of the community and being actively involved and making a difference."

Former Kansas Sen. Bob Marshall is another local veteran who is not in support of the advertisements displayed on the flag case.

"I support the donation or contribution of the flag, but I don't think they should put their names up there," Marshall said. "It's all right if people put in the paper who did it, but I don't think they need to put their names or their business' name up on the flag."

Marshall served on active duty in the U.S. Marines from 1960-65, and on reserve in the Marines from 1965-91. Marshall's first stint as a reserve in the Marines came two years prior to his active duty service while he was a student at the University of Kansas.

"I appreciate them doing it and I appreciate the thought, that's very good," he said. "But I just don't feel they need to try to gain some notoriety or gain some accolades for what they have done."

Dan Ramsey of Uniontown served in the Navy from 1954-58.

"I don't have an opinion," Ramsey said. "When I read the story, I got the feeling that some people didn't think the advertisement ought to be there. But no, it didn't make any difference to me one way or the other. If the school felt it wasn't right, they didn't have to accept it."