Stars Cut From Flags Stir Controversy

PHILADELPHIA - One man is angry after his local congressman's office handed him a star cut from an American flag. But is that illegal?

It's an issue drawing a lot of emotion tonight, but it's not quite as black and white as it seems.

This started with a trip to Congressman Patrick Meehan's district office on Sproul Road in Springfield, Delaware County.

Lots of folks in our area display their patriotism, with a flag in front of their home. But when wind and sun damage these banners beyond repair, the law says they must be properly retired.

So imagine “Ed's” response, he asked us to shield his identity, when he visited the district office of his congressman  and saw a star, cut from the American flag, handed out with a note that reads "please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten."

"Ed" was outraged.

"There's guys dying and young women dying all over the world to defend that emblem. That's our emblem for the whole country, and i think it's terrible that they would do that to an American flag,” he said. "So I called up his Washington office and I told them, 'that's incorrect what you're doing with the flag. That's desecration of the American flag.' They said, 'they're just old flags and who cares?'"

The U.S. code says a flag that's no longer fit for display should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

We could find no wording that seemed to approve of cutting the flag into pieces and handing them out as keepsakes.

But most folks we talked to do not share Ed's outrage.

"I think I'd prefer the old method- disposing of them the way they're supposed to be disposed of. Although, I don't know, I think it's a good idea,” said one person who spoke with on Tuesday.

Congressman Meehan's office says the pieces of flag were handed out as part of a popular veterans program called Stars For Our Troops.

They have gone through their allotment and have no plans to get more stars.

A spokesperson rejects the claim that staffers rudely dismissed "Ed's" concerns, saying they take all constituent complaints seriously.

So what is the proper way to retire a torn and tattered flag?

It may seem offensive, but "burning" is actually the preferred method.

Groups like the Boy Scouts regularly conduct flag burning ceremonies.

Here's how they do it:

After holding the flag open for a final salute, the flag is cut in half lengthwise right below the stars.

Next the stars are cut, separating them from the stripes, so it's no longer a flag. Then all three pieces are burned.

You can also contact your local American Legion or Girls Scouts troop for other flag disposal options.