This was the response I received from the Mo. State Park spokesman. Guess I am getting old and slow of wits cause it didn't explain a thing to me, except so much political double speak. Mr. Barnes, Thank you for your comments on the issue of Confederate flags. The Civil War conflict in Missouri was an important aspect of our state's history. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources uses Confederate Memorial State Historic Site and Fort Davidson State Historic Site among others to tell this story. The department remains committed to telling this part of history, including the role of the Confederate soldiers who fought valiantly for what they believed in. The decision to lower the flags from the flagpoles does not reflect a change in this commitment. We will continue to use the flags as a part of our interpretation but will display them in a more appropriate historical context. By doing this, the flags will be displayed in a more educational manner and we can be assured that no one can be offended by our displaying of the flag. The decision to display the flags in a different manner is part of a wider assessment of interpretation the department has been looking at for over a year. A special committee has been established to reassess interpretive presentations in state parks and historic sites. We want to ensure that we tell all the stories in a way that informs, educates and inspires, and that we do it in a manner that will not be offensive to anyone. Again, thank you for your comments. Sue Holst Information Officer Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of State Parks