Common Sense Flag Etiquette

http://steven.newton1.home.att.net/ ^ | 2006 | Steve Newton

[humblegunner]

At all other times that U.S. Flag should be flown above all other Flags.

Except in Texas where they fly side by side.

Otherwise, great points!

[Steve Newton]

Your very welcome

Steve

[freedom moose]

Section 8d (see below): "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel."
I assume pins and patches are excluded from this

[Steve Newton]

Agree to all your points

However. I still think that sometimes, if handled correctly and with respect, things can be done that otherwise would not be acceptable.

Example: Using a Flag for a bandage when no other item is available.

Steve

[Steve Newton]

Indeed

I love that "Don't Tread on Me" Flag!

Steve

[raygun]

Q. If the Flag touches the ground should it be destroyed? A. Letting the Flag touch the ground is a sign of disrespect but happens all the time. If a Flag touches the ground accidentally make sure the Flag is not soiled and fly as usual.

While it a certain element of disrespect could be connotated, Old Glory won't be outright defiled in it touching ground that has been soaked with the blood of American patriots, so long as it doesn't become soiled. This would entail the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico (at least San Juan Hill), Iwo Jima (et ali), any number of battlefields in Europe, e.g. Bastonge, or areas of action where Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing led his troops, etc. However, if the Star Spangled Banner touches any other ground (soiled or not), it should relieved of duty and somberly cremated.

[potlatch]

Indeed, I love that "Don't Tread on Me" Flag!

I think you will be seeing more of it as the day goes on.

[RedBeaconNY]

How do you burn your flag? What conditions, etc?

[ErnBatavia]

Last year for myself (since I'd done the same thing for my parents several years ago), I ordered via my Congresswoman one that had flown over the Capitol...I'd forgotten how reasonable it was - less than 15 bucks, if I recall correctly.

One can generally request certain dates the flag is flown...everyone should check their representative's website for 'flag requests'.

[Smartass]

 

 

I am the flag of the United States of America.

I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia.

There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag.

My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind.

Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each of the fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known.

My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country.

My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men and boys and the self-sacrifice and devotion of American mothers and daughters.

My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all.

My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty, and faith.

I represent these eternal principles: liberty, justice, and humanity.

I embody American freedom: freedom of speech, religion, assembly, the press, and the sanctity of the home.

I typify that indomitable spirit of determination brought to my land by Christopher Columbus and by all my forefathers - the Pilgrims, Puritans, settlers at James town and Plymouth.

I am as old as my nation.

I am a living symbol of my nation's law: the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

I voice Abraham Lincoln's philosophy: "A government of the people, by the people,for the people."

I stand guard over my nation's schools, the seedbed of good citizenship and true patriotism.

I am displayed in every schoolroom throughout my nation; every schoolyard has a flag pole for my display.

Daily thousands upon thousands of boys and girls pledge their allegiance to me and my country.

I have my own law—Public Law 829, "The Flag Code" - which definitely states my correct use and display for all occasions and situations.

I have my special day, Flag Day. June 14 is set aside to honor my birth.

Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow.

I am your title deed of freedom, which is yours to enjoy and hold in trust for posterity.

If you fail to keep this sacred trust inviolate, if I am nullified and destroyed, you and your children will become slaves to dictators and despots.

Eternal vigilance is your price of freedom.

As you see me silhouetted against the peaceful skies of my country, remind yourself that I am the flag of your country, that I stand for what you are - no more, no less.

Guard me well, lest your freedom perish from the earth.

Dedicate your lives to those principles for which I stand: "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

I was created in freedom. I made my first appearance in a battle for human liberty.

God grant that I may spend eternity in my "land of the free and the home of the brave" and that I shall ever be known as "Old Glory," the flag of the United States of America.

[Steve Newton]

I have never heard it put quite that way.

However, I agree.

Do you mind me asking where you heard this?

There is something almost poetic about it.

Steve

[potlatch]

Very nice and appropriate post for today Smartass!!

[Steve Newton]

I live in the country where I can use a burn barrel.

And I know the ceremony

Steve

[Steve Newton]

Yeah

But I guess I am still a romantic. I still think the many people around the world love the Stars and Stripes.

Steve

[GATOR NAVY]

Q. Does the American Flag ALWAYS fly above any other U.S. Flag?

A. Believe it or not the answer is no. During Church services on board a U.S. Navy vessel, the Chaplains Flag may be flown above the U.S. Flag. It is my belief that this shows that God is above the United States. At all other times that U.S. Flag should be flown above all other Flags.

I don't have my NTP-13 (Honors and Ceremonies)in front of me to refer to, but "above other flags" refers to flags on the same staff, so it is not wrong to have any state or other national flag on a separate staff the same height as that of the the U.S. Flag.

I used to argue with the old guys about this when I was Command Duty Officer on an overseas base. We flew the the U.S. flag, the Japanese flag, and the U.N. flag (we were a U.N. base from the Korean War). When something happened that put the U.S. flag at half-mast, they would try and tell me to half-mast the others because "nothing could fly above the U.S. flag". The answer is no, they were on separate staffs, and were not "above" a half-masted U.S. flag.

[partialpressures]

My responses were from the website

http://allabouttheflag.tripod.com/index.html

which I hope is legit. In the FAQ is says:
"No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

I would think if your pin is worn with respect, it's okay.

So many times in our efforts to be patriotic, I think we forget the actual rules. I know this Fourth of July, I'll use just red white and blue table decorations and leave the actual Flag flying proudly outside.

[Steve Newton]

I don't think I answered your question fully.

You may burn your Flag if you can. Bury it with honor.

Turn it into the VFW or the Scouts for proper retirement.

Hope that helps

Steve

[Steve Newton]

Good point my friend

Steve

[partialpressures]

"Example: Using a Flag for a bandage when no other item is available."

Frightening but true.

Thanks Steve for posting such a timely topic.

[Publius6961]

I assume pins and patches are excluded from this

I further assume that "common sense" covers a wide variety of other things. The flag is 50 white stars on a blue field together with seven red and six white stripes. Anything else in not a flag, unless a small part of it was actually cut out of a real flag.

The stars, the background, the stripes are just graphic elements that are surely not forbidden to be used in other designs, and need not be treated as the flag.