Get Answers: Tattered flags at the Big-I

we get answers after some people question dirty flags — one in particular -- flapping around town. one viewer writes: "when driving through albuquerque this weekend i noticed several american flags being flown that are in very poor condition -- including the one at the big i. why are flags not being replaced when they are in such obviously poor condition?" the large american flag at the big i today showed signs of wear and tear -- it’s slightly torn on the ends and is coated in a thin layer of dirt. the department of transportation is responsible for the flag so we asked how often the flag is changed ou "typically we change it out twice a year. that one was changed out in july of this year. we've got another one on order, as soon as that comes in we'll change it out again. this isn't the first time we've heard this question. there's a lot of vets out there keeping an eye on it, make sure we're taking care of it, and making sure that that flag's dent." the department of transportation says it costs about 18-hundred dollars to replace the three big i flags. spokesman phil gallegos says the large flag catches a lot more wind and dirt because of its large size.