
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 16, 1990                   TAG: 9006180325
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BURN FLAG? INSTEAD, FIND A BETTER HOME

WHEN I enlisted in the Marines in 1941 and was sent to Parris Island for six weeks' training, I was bullied, screamed at, called all kinds of names, embarrassed and humiliated and more.

There were times during boot training when I went to bed at night and hoped I didn't wake up in the morning.

Yet, to this day, I wouldn't trade that six weeks for anything in the world. To this day, I am proud as hell of my country and my flag. I felt the same way when I was called back during the Korean War.

And to this day, I cringe when someone desecrates the American flag. However, I always find solace in the thought that if I felt the way that person does about this country, at least I would have the guts to find someplace else on this Earth that I would like better, and I would move there.

\ ANDY PETERSEN\ ROANOKE

by CNB