Follow proper way to dispose of a flag

I am a proud widow of a WW2 veteran, a POW.

I have recently learned that a couple of veterans organizations are giving "retired" American flags to hospice organizations. They are cutting the stars off the flags and then sewing them onto a quilt to be given to veterans who are in hospice care.

First, I thought the only way to "retire" a flag was to burn it. Second, why don't they simply go to a hobby store and buy stars and sew them onto the quilt?

To me, this is so disrespectful of the American flag and what it stands for. When I think about all the millions of men through the years who have given their lives to fight for our flag, it makes me sick.

Please stop this practice of giving away our flags!

Marylou Andersen

Elgin