Tattered flag prompts letter-writing campaign on behalf of Old Glory w/ Wyatt Bowen video

By Wally Kennedy

wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

PIERCE CITY, Mo. — Wyatt Bowen has discovered the power of the pencil, and he is putting his to good use.

Armed with stamps and envelopes, the 9-year-old launched a personal crusade that he hopes will generate more respect for Old Glory.

It started in April, when he took a trip with his grandparents to a restaurant in Monett.

“There was a Bank of America across the street with a flag out front,” Wyatt said. “It was ripped and tattered. I asked whether it was supposed to be that way. I was told it wasn’t supposed to be that way, and that it’s disrespectful to the flag.

“I thought it was supposed to be that way because people were fighting and dying in Iraq.”

Wyatt, who will be in the fourth grade this fall at Central Elementary School in Pierce City, wrote to the bank. He wrote that the flag needed to be replaced or repaired “as it is disrespectful to fly a torn flag. Please set a good example for others.”

The bank got his message and informed Wyatt that a new flag would be displayed.

Since then, he has written nearly 20 letters about torn and tattered flags that should be retired.

“I’ll do it as long as I keep finding them, I guess,” Wyatt said. “There have been some in Monett, some in Aurora, a couple in Joplin and one in Verona. I just ask them to please retire their flag because it’s disrespectful.”

Wyatt, the son of Justin and Stacy Bowen, of Pierce City, said about 90 percent of the businesses to which he has written have changed flags.

“Some have not changed their flags, but most do when it’s brought to their attention,” Wyatt said. “Some have not responded. I’m just trying to help. People should be proud of their country.”