Is Officers Row a no-fly zone? Is this a sign of the times? I’m a Vietnam veteran who fought in the jungle and rice patties with memories of the red, white and blue. We served under that flag. Over 58,000 gave their all to America and those Stars and Stripes. Over 300,000 wounded and more than 5,000 lost limbs and scarred for life. We still grieve for those Americans and their families who sacrificed so much for our country.
Now, here’s my point.
Memorial Day on Officers Row resembled a no-fly zone for the American flag. According to my observation, only two of the two-storied structures on the north side of Evergreen Boulevard posted a flag. I thought the rich military history of those grounds lived on. Even the O.O. Howard House occupied by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, was minus a flag.
Oh, well, we veterans are probably asking too much. I will say thank you for all who did turn out that day and gathered together to honor our nation’s heroes at the parade grounds. It was very well done, and many, many flags did fly there.
Gary Barker
Vancouver
