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Editorials - 10/11/01

Leave our flag alone; it belongs to all of us

The Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon have united our country the likes those of us in the post-World War II generation have never known before.

Patriotism is surging throughout the United States in small towns, cities and the countryside. Flags are flying from homes and businesses, displaying American pride.

"God Bless America" has replaced "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" as the song of choice at Major League Baseball games.

Sports stadiums and other places where large groups gather are awash in the Red, White and Blue.

Political squabbles have been put on the back burner as we realize we are Americans much more than we are Democrats and Republicans.

As our military strikes back against terrorism with bombing raids in Afghanistan, support for President Bush and his call to action is at an all-time high.

Those of us in Sylva and Jackson County have shown our pride in America at a candlelight vigil, unity march and other such events.

For these reasons, the actions of one or more persons late on the night of Oct. 7, or early on the morning of Oct. 8, are shocking. Someone damaged an American flag in Dillsboro and stole 11 American flags from Sylva's Main Street.

Flags belonging to the Cullowhee-Sylva Kiwanis Club have traditionally been displayed on Sylva's Main Street on holidays and other special occasions. The flags were displayed for a time after the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., and many merchants took pride in having Old Glory waving in front of their stores.

The flags were once again displayed Sunday, Oct. 7, for the horse and buggy parade celebrating Jackson County's sesquicentennial. They were left out overnight since Monday was Columbus Day.

By cover of darkness, someone stole the flags. The culprit didn't just steal something belong to the Kiwanis Club. The flags belonged to all of us, especially in this time of mourning in our country.

We hope the Sylva Police Department will do everything in its power to find those responsible and bring them to justice. The same is true for the Jackson County Sheriff's Department regarding the damaged flag in Dillsboro.

Too many Americans have given their lives to protect what the flag represents for someone to come into our town and take such action. Old Glory deserves better, and so do the citizens of Jackson County.

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