Letter to the Editor:

It was noted that several people have been flying the confederate flag around town and some are offended. First I am greatly offended that anyone would compare flying the confederate flag to flying the Nazi Swastika. The comparison is not even close. I remember a class I took while in the military that taught me a valuable lesson. A picture was posted of the confederate flag and the instructor asked the class by a raise of hands how many of you are NOT offended by this picture. I was the only person in the class to raise my hand. I then had to explain why the confederate flag was not offensive to me.

For me I was taught that flag represented a part of the United States culture and history. It for me does not represent slavery or racism but as remembrances of a time in American history were many lives were lost due to a great division. This flag is actually a memorial to Confederate soldiers who lost their lives in our Civil War and deserve just as much respect as the Union soldiers.

That class taught me to pay attention, listen to what others points of view are and not just assume things. That doesn’t mean I agree with them but I might have a better understanding of why. I know that many in that class walked out of there with a better understanding of what the Confederate flag was and is today, something to remember and never forget lest we repeat history.

Maybe flying the Confederate flag brings forth thoughts of our current state of affairs and helps us to remember that another civil war is not the way we want to go in America.

Thanks for reading.

Heather McClendon

Wilson