A letter to my neighbor who was upset about my displaying the American flag upside down:
Dear Neighbor,
I recently received your anonymous letter expressing concern about my decision to fly the U.S. flag upside down. First, I want to acknowledge and appreciate the sincerity of your message. I understand that for many, the flag is a deeply respected symbol of service, sacrifice, and national pride. Please know that my intent is not to dishonor those values but rather to express deep distress about the direction in which our country is headed.
Flying the flag upside down is a recognized signal of distress — a message that I, like many others, believe is necessary at this moment in history. The turmoil following the election of the current president, along with the erosion of the rule of law and constitutional principles, is alarming. The recent developments involving Ukrainian President Zelensky only reinforce the gravity of the situation.
I draw inspiration from Father Michael Pfleger’s editorial in the Chicago Tribune*, where he explains why his parish has also chosen to fly the flag in this manner. He states, “What’s happening is wrong and unacceptable and cannot be normalized. America, we must resist — nonviolently, yes, but resist. Or we will find ourselves repeating Nazi Germany.” I could not agree more.
As a fellow veteran, I have served this country with honor, and my love for it compels me to speak out when I see it veering down this dangerous path. I believe that patriotism is not just about displaying the flag but also about standing up for the principles it represents. My protest is not against the country itself but against the actions threatening its democratic foundation.
I respect your perspective, and I appreciate that you took the time to share your concerns. While we may see this moment in different ways, I hope we can agree that America thrives when its citizens engage in meaningful dialogue and stand up for what they believe in.
*Reference to Tribune article
Warren Jepson
Oak Park