LETTER: Better safe, than sorry: Fly red flags in off-duty hours

At times, we can be so close to an issue that we think everyone knows as much about it as we do.  The red flags flying over Destin beaches are a good example.

My family has been coming to Destin for vacations for 30 years, most of them at Jetty East.

A few years ago, a massive education campaign made us aware of what the various flags mean. Until I read the April 15-17 issue, I was unaware that that the absence of flags meant no lifeguards were on duty. I wonder how many other vacationers know this?

Please do not assume everyone knows local practices.

I would agree with The Destin Log editorial suggestion of leaving red flags flying when lifeguards are not on duty. Some people will always ignore such warnings, but we will never know how many people are living today because they didn't go into the water when red flags were flying.

I swore I would never write a letter to the editor when I retired three years ago after nearly 44 years at my hometown daily newspaper, but I think your suggestion of flying red flags when lifeguards are off duty needs immediate support.  

Bill Wills
Bloomington, IL

Editor’s Note: Bill Wills pulled a surfer from the Gulf on April 2 after a riptide dislocated his knee. To read more about the incident, click here.