As I was scanning the opinion section of the Aug. 24 issue of the Current, I noticed a letter asking where the flag was at the fire station on Black Point Road. Reading on, I found that Fire Chief Michael Thurlow explained that trees were tearing the flag. This is a good reason for taking down the flag, but this is nothing that a little branch trimming can’t solve.

However, I was appalled to read that residents of the area complained about the noise the flag made. In an era where patriotism is needed, these people want to remove a symbol of our country just because it causes them discomfort. Also, I don’t think that a flying flag would cause sufficient noise to bother people. I mean it’s not like a jet is taking off next to your house. A fire truck makes a hundred times as much noise as a flag. Do we have to get rid of our fire trucks too?

Chief Thurlow said that in an effort to “appease everyone” his department would only fly the flag on holidays. This is not good enough, Mr. Thurlow. The flag needs to fly everyday. As a 15-year-old citizen of Scarborough, I believe that this event is a travesty of patriotism. We need to show that Scarborough loves America. Flags need to fly at all times in public, not just on holidays.

Brian L’Heureaux

Scarborough