Hello again! Just thought I would pass on some of the "rules" of displaying flags w/ respect. They are in no particular order, but "rules" learned while in the Military.

Do not let the flag touch the ground.

Do not display it in inclement weather such as rain unless it is protected via shelter. If it is INSIDE the car, fine. Do not let it get wet.

Do not display tattered or worn flags with holes in them, or rips and tears.

When displaying it with other flags, (ie: Confederate flag, etc.) the American Flag should be HIGHER than the other(s).

Do not leave your flag on display at night, unless you are there with it for a particular function, such as a party.

Some have said that I should be happy that people are even displaying their patriotism and let these simple "rules" go, but I have a great respect for the American Flag, and if you are gonna do it, do it right. After all, it is one of the most prominent symbols of our country!

Hoping I didn't step on anyone's toes,
Claudia

BTW: I am 5 mos pregnant now, and all is well. Took 3 LONG years to get pregnant. The baby was shy on Monday's ultrasound so we still don't know what the sex is.

 

First off, CONGRATS on the baby! Should I be so crass as to say, it may have taken 3 long years, but I bet you had fun trying!

Anywho, from what I understand, you can display the US flag in inclement weather so long as it's an all-weather flag such as one made out of nylon.

You can also display the flag 24/7 so long as it's illuminated. No, street lights won't suffice. It has to be a light dedicated to illuminating the flag.

Also, when displaying the flag on a pole, it must not touch any other structure, such as the roof of a building.

BTW, did you know that to display a flag at half-staff, it must be raised to full-staff first, then lowered to half-staff?

You must never throw away a flag. It must be burned. You must never make something else out of a flag, such as an article of clothing.

Oh yeah, when raising the flag, it must go up smartly. In other words, it should be raised at a good speed. When it comes down, it comes down at a much slower speed. It's sort of like you are anxious to fly it and when it's time to come down, you wish it could still fly.

Some of the above is from memory, having served as one of the few kids in school allowed to raise and lower the flag years and years ago.

 

Hi Claudia, ultrasound isn't that reliable for determining the sex anyway. When I saw our first ultrasound pic I pointed to it and said, "Woohoo! That's MY boy!".

The doc said, " Uh sir, that's an imbilical cord."

(We had a girl.)

 

To add to what Dennis said when you lower a flag from half staff it should be raised to the top before lowering. Thanks for starting this thread Claudia it is great to know there are people that know the rules and help spread them. It took my wife and I 3 years as well to get pregnant for #2 and she is due in March.

 

Thank you Dennis for adding some more! There are more, but this is a good start! Like, I think the American flag goes on the left (not sure, forgot!) of the others, gets raised FIRST, and lowered LAST...

If you just can't bring yourself to burn your tattered flag and it is in good enough condition to fold up in the triangle without the damage being seen, you can do that, too. Just don't tell anyone!

RE: Baby, this is our 3rd attempt, and the first to come this far. I lost the previous 2 in my 2nd month. But, God works in mysterious ways and DEFINITELY knew what He was doing. I would have had to deal with my ex-*** forever if I had not lost the babies. And he became MEAN as time went on! Thank God for small favors!

 

SOP at FD:

You can display at night as long as stated before there is a dedicated light.

You can display during inclement weather if it is all-weather flag.

You can raise a flag from half-staff to full staff without lowering it completely first.

Our flags are STILL at half-mast to observe the FULL and PROPER 30 day mourning period for my FDNY brothers.

The flag is NOT just a piece of cloth. I take GREAT care in making sure that it does not touch the ground when raising it in the morning.

GREAT POST!!

Good luck with the youngin'

 

I remember when I was in the 7th grade when I got flag duty, the vice principal gave the 8 of us a class on the flag. I can still vividly recall the first time my partner and I got to raise the flag. Our hands were shaking. The flag was something to be revered. It still is.

 

The union (stars) must be displayed on the flags right when looking at it the union is always top left when hanging it from a door.

 

isnt there something about the flag being displayed on the right side? if its on your car it should be on the right, right? i like the fact that everybody has flags on there cars but please take them down if they get torn or ripped. its not right.

 

I think one of the simple rules is the American Flag always takes (its) the right. When being displayed or when in a flag ceremony, the American Flag is always on the right AND it crosses in front of any other flag when the flag detail reaches the area to post the colors.

 

Great Thread!!! I wish all Americans would read these!

 

Congratulations Claudia! My wife and I have a 4-month old
who is NOW SLEEPING ALL NIGHT! They can change your life
forever. We waited 10 years before having her. I wish we
had not waited. She makes everything better! Congrats!!

 

Here's a link to the ushistory.org - Betsy Ross page. Lots of good info on how to display the flag as well as flag laws and regulations. Pretty informative site. Everything you ever wanted to know about US flag etiquette.......Enjoy!

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

 

From the US Flag code:

"By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress"


I think we should add Fireman to the list. Policemen as well. They definitely deserve the full 30 days of respect and then some!! At present the law does not allow more than 10 days and Bush ordered all the flags back to full staff on Sept. 23 which was actually more than 10 but the President has the authority to do that.

Lets all continue to fly our Flag proudly even after life returns to normal ( If it ever does )

God Bless America and all of the Rescue workers lost and still working!

 

Great topic, think they are all covered now. Did you know flown backwards means distress?

Last week on the news here in Las Vegas they spoke of a home owners association that did not allow the flying of any flags within their community . Can you believe that? The mayor heard about it and quickly introduced legislation to the town council to prevent anyone/anywhere here in town from forbidding the flying of the United States flag.

God Bless America!