July 03, 2008 08:39 pm
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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.”
Wyatt’s mission inspired others. The Women’s Auxiliary of the American Legion post in Monett sent him $42 for stamps and supplies in support of his campaign. Richard Splitter and his wife, who live in Springfield, sent him a flag. His local state representative, Don Ruzicka, R-Mount Vernon, is sending him a U.S. flag that has flown over the nation’s Capitol and a state flag that has flown over the state Capitol.
Wyatt recently was invited to a political dinner in Exeter that was attended by U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof, R-Mo.
“You know who he is?” asked Wyatt. “He’s running for governor. He introduced me at the dinner.”
Wyatt’s grandfather, Doug Bowen, of Pierce City, said: “I am to the point where I look all the time for flags that need to be repaired or retired. There are lots and lots of flags, but some don’t pay attention to them.”
His grandfather added: “It’s just so innocent. He (Wyatt) thinks it’s a horrible thing not to take care of our symbol of freedom. The flag should be respected. That’s the main gist of the whole thing. I never paid any attention before, to tell you the truth.”
Said Wyatt: “It just makes me sad when I see a flag that is torn.”
Flag etiquette
“The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.”
— United States Code, Title 4, Chapter 1
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
Globe/Roger Nomer
Wyatt Bowen, age 9, of Pierce City, addresses an envelope to a local business that he spotted flying a tattered flag.