Flag controversy unfurling locally

The Press ran a story today about a steel beam from the World Trade Center that is covered in a specially-made flag while being transported from New York to Silverdale, Wash., for a memorial. The beam is making three stops in Kootenai County and can be viewed at Cruiser's in Stateline on Thursday night, Lone Wolf Harley-Davidson on Friday and in front of Road House motorcycles along Interstate-90 in Post Falls on Saturday.

A reader called the Press to state that a flag covering any item other than a casket is in violation of flag etiquette. Veterans groups concur at face value with the position. Colors representing the flag on items is OK, but a flag itself is a violation. The reader believes flying the flag from a pole above the beam during the stops would be more appropriate.

However, others say that the World Trade Center was the final resting place for many people, believe the beam is symbolically a casket of sorts and that the stop is an opportunity to pay respect for lives lost in the line of duty and the terrorist attacks. Therefore, they say, the flag should remain on the beam. What are your thoughts?