Crazy wrote on Sep 11, 2007 10:07 PM:So it is okay to break in to a lock box and bring a flag down if you don't think it is in good condition??? If he drives buy a house that has an old flag will he egg the house or knock on the front door and pick a fight with the owner? Patriotism is not an excuse to break the law. A true patriot would not break the law and do it the right way. To act like this is okay is a joke. I hope the property company will press charges on him. Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious, Sir Oscar Wilde.

Congratulations wrote on Sep 11, 2007 10:20 PM:I think the management company should be shameful and this man did nothing more than a good samaritan. To "CRAZY"... do you know it is illegal to fly a torn, ripped up flag? What this man did was absolutely fine with me! Great job!

matt wrote on Sep 11, 2007 11:24 PM:there is no law against flying a torn flag its the thought that counts almost a symbol of that the flag may not be in great condition but it still flys high either way, its not his flag to remove i say press charges

A scholar wrote on Sep 12, 2007 1:37 AM:Hey crazy, the lock box was open, and I would have done the same thing. You sir, have evidently not served as a member of the Armed Forces. Dude, go get a life. To Matt, it is against Federal guidelines that state a flag will be destoryed if it is unserviceable, which this flag sounds like it was. There are two authorized flag burning stations in the country, one of them is the remote Navy training site, Warner Springs. Semper Fi 20 years

bad wrote on Sep 12, 2007 7:29 AM:a tattered flag is an insult to our country. if your going to do it - do it right or not at all. good job Chris.

Heart in the Right Place wrote on Sep 12, 2007 7:39 AM:I applaud Mr. Herbers actions. He tried to do it by the book. He complained to the owners of the center who ignored him. No one paid attention. No one cared. So, when he he took matters into his own hands, he accepted responsibility for what he did. He turned in the flag and did not try to hide his actions from anyone. Flying the torn and tattered colors as a symbol of victory inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the "Star Bangled Banner," and inspired fire fighters to improvise a pole and raise the colors over ground zero six years ago. But to shamefully fly them in poor condition to save a buck speaks more to apathy than to patriotism. The center owners should be embarrassed.

from the heart wrote on Sep 12, 2007 8:16 AM:this man showed his colors from his heart and there should be no charges- im sure a poll would prove worthy! bless you sir for your pride in your coutry -that so many others have lost or are just to busy to acknowledge.

Yeah You Are Crazy wrote on Sep 12, 2007 8:24 AM:This is what usaflag... says about flag etiquette; "When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner." Ask any Marine, he'll tell you it should have been taken down long ago. At least Mr Herbers had the courage to do what should have been done by the property management. If they have a flag flying, respect it and care for it.

Stand Tall wrote on Sep 12, 2007 9:03 AM:The opinion of "CRAZY" above or anybody quoting an avowed socialist and pedophile such as Oscar Wild should be patently dismissed. The article says the box was unlocked and the flag was not removed from the property but instead taken down respectfully and given to the Manager of the Movie theatre in that center. Judging from the photo of the Flag the Property Manager should be ashamed. Great job Christopher Herbers! Temecula has a number of Patriots...Christopher Herbers is one of them!

Hurray! wrote on Sep 12, 2007 9:54 AM:Good Job Mr. Herbers! It's about time someone actually took action to remedy that situation! You have been a great example of the "Power of One." One person can make a differnce and you did! Congratulations!

NoCal Mark wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:56 AM:I am curious to see if the management company will produce their "order form" for the new flag that predates Chris removing the flag. I doubt it. But let's at least be thankful that they did indeed order a new flag and hope that at least now add regular inspections of the flag to their periodic maintenance routine. Kudos to you Chris. Actions speak louder than words.

Miss NROTC 1980 wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:03 AM:I also applaud what Chris did. If the management company cared the flag never would have been in that state. Great people do not just speak of action, they take action. Chris displays some qualities of being a "great person".

Fasha wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:03 AM:I, too, applaud Mr. Herbers actions. To say he broke the law, it would only possibly be trespassing, and that may be a stretch. He never removed the flag from the property, but presented it to one of the establishments of the property. Nothing was stolen. And if you think any jury in their right minds would find Mr. Herbers guilty of any wrongful doing, you too could be considered "Crazy". The top officials of this fine community, whom you voted for, also applaud Chris' actions. I applaud them. Lastly, thanks to the management company who is providing the new flag for our communty. In the future, let's not wait until the flag is in tatters before replacing it, and causing a fine community citizen from taking the risk of doing a patriotic deed.

MattGH wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:55 AM:This article is totally flag-tastic.-

John wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:45 PM:To many wonderful young men have served this country and many have died for what it stands for. The FLAG is a symbol of hope for all. Many in this world have bad feelings about this country. NO ONE should treat this symbol with disrespect in any manner. To fly it in such a state should be a crime. Those who leave it fly without removing it because it is illuminated at night and don't take care of it don't seem to respect it or what it stands for and that is a shame.-

Mr. Herbers, you wrote on Sep 12, 2007 1:11 PM:are my hero! Semper Fi!

Artard wrote on Sep 12, 2007 4:18 PM:A true patriot would have invaded Hemet to protect that flag.

Artard wrote on Sep 12, 2007 4:19 PM:A true patriot would have invaded Hemet to stop further damage to our flag.

Mr. Smith wrote on Sep 12, 2007 5:22 PM:"Flag-tastic" is an understatement and those "two others" should equally be praised! They are "SUPER-FLAG-TASTIC" !!!

To A Scholar wrote on Sep 12, 2007 5:22 PM:I served proudly in the Air Force. To make assumptions just shows your lack of intelligence. The flag had a lock box. Just because it was open does give someone the right to what they will with it. That is like saying the car door was open so it is alright to steal it. The flag, the pole, and the property is private. Turning it in to a company in the plaza is pointless. They only rent the space and have no say. The flag is only a symbol. True patriotism is in your heart.

Big Sister wrote on Sep 12, 2007 5:51 PM:What my brother did was AWESOME. He makes me very proud to be his big sister. Way to go Chris!!!!!

Caryn C. wrote on Sep 12, 2007 6:52 PM:Chris Herbers is a real patriot, I know that for a fact. I would have been right next to Chris helping him remove the worn flag, The "FLAG" is the symbol of our "COUNTRY" and should fly with "HONOR" and "RESPECT". So what Chris did was in "HONOR" and "RESPECT" to his "COUNTRY" and for "ALL OF OUR ARMED FORCES" and for all who 'BELIEVE IN OUR FLAG'.

Herbers wrote on Sep 12, 2007 8:22 PM:Just for those of you whom care. My dad (mr. Herbers) just called me to inform me that as of today there is a new flag in standing at the center. For any of you who found this wrong...I am sorry you feel that way. But I have to say for my dad..he has always been a hero and now all of you in Temecula get to see a little peice of that. He did not mean any disrespect..he believes in this country and has not once bad mouthed it in my entire life. He is full of pride for the U.S.A and is showing respect to all of those who have, currently are, or someday will serve us. Good job dad im proud of you!!

Mr. Herbers actions wrote on Sep 13, 2007 1:45 PM:should be an inspiration to others out there. Sometimes "doing the right thing" is accomplished by utilizing not-so-conventional methods. I comend you, sir, for your sincere patriotism. Your actions came from your heart! Ooh-rah!

To Patriot Herbers wrote on Sep 13, 2007 5:12 PM:This is a testament that sometimes the end justifies the means. Rest assured that the overwhelming majority appreciate Herbers' action of not shying away from doing the right thing for our community. We can only wish that some of Mr. Herbers humanitarian spirit will rub off on the rest of us.

NoCoSD wrote on Sep 13, 2007 9:26 PM:I also applaude whst Mr. Herbers did. He tried to get the property management to help with the "problem". Looks like they thought it would be easier to ignore his request. Good for you Chris for not giving up. Too many of us today are too "busy" to take the time and or effort. I thank you Chris for what you did. Looks like most people agree with your actions.

AJ wrote on Sep 14, 2007 1:38 AM:I think Mr. Herbers has way too much time on his hands. Don't you ex-Marine/Air Force battle axes have better things to do besides patrol the neighborhood in search of ratty flags?

Chris wrote on Sep 14, 2007 6:59 AM:...[Editor's note: Please see nctimes.com/blogpolicy. Posters may not include last names as we cannot guarantee identity. Comments are intended to be anonymous. If you would like to respond using your complete name, please send a letter to the editor: letters@nctimes.com. Thank you.]

Dear AJ wrote on Sep 14, 2007 2:09 PM:You me replying to a news article 2 days after the fact at 1:38 AM might indicate you are actually be the one with too much time on their hands. It might also imply that instead of serving/fighting for your country you stay up too late playing video games pretending to be a soldier. "Man up" AJ! Ratty is a poor way to describe even a torn flag boy.

Chris H wrote on Sep 17, 2007 10:24 AM:Thanks but please reserve the term "Patriot" for others.....My actions taken to remove this torn AMERICAN Flag were merely Patriotic. It's the Men and Women that now serve or have served so proudly that are the true PATRIOTS and deserving of that title! Their service to our country is NOT lost on me, the people of Temecula or our Nation. As American citizens we should feel compelled to act in these matters and do so with proper pride and respect for our Country and our American flag. We should feel proud to take care of things here at "home" as so many have given their lives to fight for the freedoms we so often take for granted....including the right to disagree with my actions. I saw no other option and stand PROUDLY by my decision to respectfully remove this American flag from service. This GREAT Flag had served it's time, served it well and deserved to be retired. Yes, "Temecula has a number of Patriots" and while I don't consider myself one of them I do salute them all, past and present, including my own Son, Christopher who's now serving proudly in the USAF. Thanks to all for your kind words

Tony C wrote on Sep 26, 2007 3:33 PM:Good job Uncle Chris!!!!!!