Dear Editor,

As I rode my bike into vineyard country I was immediately disappointed at seeing

a resident of North East proudly displaying a Confederate flag on their house. It

isn’t the first time either.

This flag represents hate, racism, slavery and ignorance. It only belongs in history

books and museums. Any argument for southern heritage or being a proud

redneck is just plain ignorance and egotism.

First, this symbol perpetuates racism. It wrongly honors and glorifies a population

that enslaved other people because of their skin color and started a civil war

based on treason and hate for the Constitution of the United States.

Second, to display the flag in Pennsylvania dishonors those valiant Union soldiers

that died fighting to preserve the Union.

Third, it dishonors all service members of color that have ever served in our

military. I served with some of the best Americans I know. We didn’t see color. We

only saw each other as wanting to proudly serve our country.

As a Tank Commander, my Gunner was black. As a Platoon Leader my Platoon

Sergeant was black. As an Intelligence officer my Executive officer was black. As

an officer at the Pentagon, my First Sergeant was black. I would have followed or

led any of these men and women anytime, anywhere and would have given my

life for them.

It is insulting and degrading to fly the Confederate flag. I challenge anyone who

flies the flag to debate me in this. Take your flag down. It doesn’t symbolize

heritage, it’s not funny, and it’s not free speech. It symbolizes slavery and hate.

Stop racism and ignorance in North East. We are better than that.

Michael Dunlavey

North East resident