I am one of the “14 million tourists visiting the Grand Strand every year,” to quote Brad Dean, CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. I have been coming to the 1600 block of South Ocean Boulevard for many years. I would like to be one of Brad Dean’s visitors enjoying Myrtle Beach.

However, for the last several years I have started each morning looking across the street at a business whose five flag poles brazenly fly five rotting flags. There is an American flag, a Canadian flag, a South Carolina flag, a Confederate flag, and perhaps an MIA flag (too tattered to identify). I know there are federal laws pertaining to the respectful use of our flag. I also know that Canada and the state I am from have similar laws. I am wondering about South Carolina and the city of Myrtle Beach.

If there are such laws; how are they enforced? To whom can I report this situation? I think, in all the well-intentioned planning for Myrtle Beach visitors’ enjoyment, this state of disrespect for our flags should be cleaned up.

The writer lives in Glyndon, Minn.