When a school doesn't fly the Flag

What is the public to understand about a school that doesn't fly the United States Flag on the school's flagpole in front of the school? What message is being sent to the public, and to the students, about the absence of the flag? Does anyone even notice?

Northwood Middle School, in Woodstock on Route 47 across from the McHenry County Government Center, seems to be having a problem.

When I noticed in March, I think it was, that the flag had not been raised, I called the school. When I drove past the next time, the flag was up.

This morning there was no flag. I thought that its being the first day back from Spring Break might have something to do with it, although I view that as a really weak excuse, if that's why the flag wasn't being flown. I believe students are responsible for raising and lowering the flag there daily. When they fail to do so, where is supervision of their duty breaking down?

Being on the flag team should be an honor. To raise and lower the flag of the United States, symbol of freedom in this country, should not be viewed as a duty that can be shirked.

On a military base, traffic stops when the bugle sounds to raise and lower the flag. Attention and respect are shown to the flag. And it should be from the heart, not because you'll be chewed out if you are sloppy about attention to the flag.