Flag Day is a chance to reflect on traditions, protect Old Glory
This Flag Day, June 14, the American Legion Jack Henry Post 1 will be commemorating the adoption of the American flag. For more than 200 years Old Glory has served as a symbol of our nation's freedom and as a source of pride for all our citizens.
Flag Day is also a time to honor our nations' veterans who have served to protect the flag and the ideals it represents.
However, with time and weather the flag we fly so proudly becomes tattered and worn. Each year on Flag Day American Legion Jack Henry Post 1 members, along with the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and now, the American Legion Riders, provide Anchorage with the opportunity to properly dispose of their worn and tattered flags using the guidelines of the Flag Code. The Flag Code recommends that "when a flag has served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning." For individual citizens this should be done discreetly so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration." This disposal of the flag has been offered by American Legion Jack Henry Post 1 for almost 100 years. A service will be held Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Jack Henry American Legion Post, 840 W. Fireweed Lane. While there are currently no penalties for the physical desecration of the flag, the American Legion and other members of the Citizens Flag Alliance continue to work for a constitutional amendment to protect the flag.
While many consider Flag Day just a chance to fly the flag proudly, this day is also a time to reflect on our freedoms and the principles of our great nation for which the flag stands. It is also a time to protect Old Glory. As part of the nation's oldest and largest women's patriotic service organization, I ask that citizens of Anchorage step up and take a moment to commemorate Old Glory. Wave your flag and remember to show gratitude to veterans who have served and active service members. I know my American Legion Auxiliary Unit, Unit 1, works hard as volunteers in a variety of services to honor America's veterans.
— Anne H Foley
2nd vice president
ALA Jack Henry Unit 1
Anchorage
Has Trump no sense of decency?
When I read Donald Trump's self-congratulatory comments on the Orlando shooting, I was reminded of a quotation. Those of you with long memories will recognize it. Others might benefit from looking it up. "Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?"
— Dale Gerboth
Anchorage
Public schools and safety will suffer under legislation
Despite months of work by well-respected Alaska organizations calling for a balanced fiscal plan from the Legislature, the majority has simply shrugged and said "it's not going to happen." In the private sector, a CEO would be dismissed in a heartbeat with this kind of dismissive attitude. It saddens me that our legislators refuse to act to save our state.
The only action that has been taken so far is to pass a poison Permanent Fund bill that will gut public education and public safety over the next few years.
Under the Senate GOP bill, when oil prices rise to roughly $75/barrel, and at all prices above that, the total revenue allowed to be used to pay for schools, troopers and other state services will remain FLAT.
At roughly that price-point, for every extra dollar that comes in to the state as oil prices and oil revenue rise, one dollar less will be allowed to come from the Senate's Permanent Fund plan, leaving a stagnant budget into the future, and reduced funds in inflation-adjusted dollars every year. What happens to the extra money? It doesn't go into Permanent Fund dividends. It stays in the Earnings Reserve part of the Permanent Fund.
Put bluntly — this bill will starve core state functions: Roads, troopers, schools to name a few.
Why are legislators laying siege to our state?
I am still asking for the same thing thousands of Alaskans have been asking for all session: Legislators, please work in a non-partisan fashion to provide a balanced fiscal plan so that our kids have a future in Alaska. Make us proud.
— Caroline Storm
Anchorage
Having an abortion and ending one’s life not the same
It was not so long ago that suicide was a crime. Not that the dead person could be punished for his successful attempt, but one unlucky enough to survive his efforts could be. It is no longer so, but someone who, with infinite kindness, assists that person in achieving his goal can be tried for a crime. As it is, many doctors quietly help their patients who are in interminable pain with no hope of recovery die a peaceful death. It is never done "as a convenience," but as an act of extreme compassion when suffering is beyond comprehension.
Kathleen Parker's commentary (ADN, June 13) compares a person who wishes to end his own life to a person having an abortion. This comparison doesn't pass scrutiny. Abortion involves the life of another who is not allowed a choice, and is a different matter entirely. And the idea that someone would feel "obligated" to kill themselves, what folly. Even if someone is thinking of their juicy life insurance policy, is not that their own choice?
In conclusion, who does my life belong to? People of a religious persuasion would say "to God." But what of the majority who are not of a religious persuasion? We believe that our lives belong to ourselves and that someone who selflessly assists us is a saint.
— Penny Burt
Anchorage
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