Respect for our flag needs to be taught

To the Editor:
    While attending the July Fourth parade in Bangor, it came to my attention and chagrin that as the color guards passed, only two people in our line of vision stood when the flag passed in front of us. Those two were my son and myself.
    As parents, youth leaders and citizens of this great country, could we please encourage and educate ourselves and our children to respect our national flag?

    The National Flag Foundation states, “The moment the flag passes in a parade or procession, all persons should show respect by standing at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their hearts.”
    I’m not asking, nor is it reasonable, for people to stand for every single flag displayed during a parade. My request would be if the flag is being carried by honor guards, please honor this symbol of our country and all the people who have fought so bravely to allow us to display our flag, and simply stand and place your hand over your heart. Such a simple act.

Estella Bennett,
patriotic instructor,
Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Dept.  of Me.
Guilford