I remember at my old high school (loong time ago) they use to come out the door, drop the flag on the ground and hook it up to the pole. Someone would say something to them, they would change things and in a few months they would be back to the old way. Finally the students got fed up with them saying, "you must obey our rules" but then they didn't follow the rules. I also remember my state talking about making flag burning illegal (trying to stem the free speech people died for) and the only shut up after they forgot they are supposed to be burned to be destroyed. The whole flag debate has always made me laugh a little, as when people start buying them, so many of them get imported from China. You want to make a statement, make sure where your flag was made, I say. But remember it is a symbol that people died for, just a symbol, the important stuff is the way you feel about the country and the way you treat your fellow countrymen. Let's respect one another, and thank all who made this country the place it is today (vets, founding fathers, the Roman society they were modeling after, anyone who uses free speech, and yes even the crooks WE put in office).

 

I'm sorry you don't believe me Big Jim M. But thats the story he told me. I wasn't there. I have no reson not to believe him knowing the people and the police in that neighborhood.

The town of Waubeka Wi is 20 miles north of here and they claim to be the founders of flag day. http://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/TownFredonia/ and http://www.jsonline.com/news/sunday/real/0831hood.stm

 

Another little known fact about the flag is that there is one placed in many (maybe all?) military vehicles that are being used in a military deployment. Most can be obtained under special circumstances for little or no cost via contacting your congressional representatives. When a friend of mine retired from Civil Air Patrol a few years ago we were able to get one for him. Maj. Harrison was a Corsair pilot for the Marines in WWII. We were able to get a flag that flew in an F/A-18 during Desert Storm for him. The coolest thing was that the flag came from an aircraft that was from his squadron. It came with a letter stating its origin and history of the flag and the aircraft it flew in.

 

It is also possible to get a flag that has been flown onboard the USS Constitution (Ol' Ironsides!) but I'm not sure how long the waiting list is, or what it may cost.

As above - it comes with a letter of origin. I have seen several of these presented at retirement ceremonies over the years and the pride of someone that has been presented with such a gift is indescribable!

~Wolf

 

I would fold that flag and put it in a case and display it inside the house
preferably in the entrance hall or over the mantle.
That lets you keep it and others can still see it when they visit you.

 

Check around. There are triangular frames specifically designed for displaying folded flags.

 

In my geographic location we have a lot of American Cottagers in summer and always have had .

It was always a recognized symbol of hospitality at our cottage and most others to fly both our Canadian Flag and the Old Glory as well both right side up by the way and the flag of the home country at the top .

The 1961 Mahogony Criuser I purchased belonged to a retired US Naval Officer
from Conneticut and came with an American Yacht Club Stars and Stripes on the stern flag pole . Although I attached the Maple Leaf to the bow post I left his flag right where it was as it is in fine shape and is an integreal part of the boat in my eyes . It was the first model inboard/outboard ever manufactured in the US according to the original invoice and operators manual and it was built in Wisconsin USA so why wouldn't an American Flag be appropriate flying on its stern remains my opinion .

Flag rules and hospitality display of visiting nations flags remains fairly universial throughout the world and I do not feel that should change for any reason .

Some little differences over sick cows or softwood lumber or our misguided
political representatives decision to not endourse the missile shield is far less than it would take to convince me that the flag of our closest neighbour and
longest standing protector and trade partner should not retain its position on our pole right beneath our own and warrant the same respect that any flag flying there demands .

My brother in law who's cottage is on the same shoreline and is a cop on permanent disabillity from the force now , still makes a daily ritual of taking down his flags every evening at dusk and raising them again at daylight .

Canadians seem far less patriotic about proudly displaying our flag on our homes or place of business and that is a shame . It does my heart good to see how many fly their flag with pride when I travel below the 49th . Not just in times of war or strife for the country but all the time as it should be .

Greywolf : Would it not be appropriate to have a little private family get together to put you Dad's Flag to rest and place the ashes where he rests now or where his ashes were placed if that was the case .

I'm thinking that is what will be done with the one from our cottage when it is no longer servicable and must be replaced . That was Dad and Mom's favorite lot in life that cottage so I feel it only fitting the flag be with them when the time comes for the same reason we watched 4 of her favorite blooms from the cottage sink into their favorite fishing spot with her ashse when that time came .

 

As for obtaining a flag that was flown over the Capitol building, all you have to do is ask one of you congressmen. My Grandmother got one for me that was flown on the day that I joined the Navy.

For those that might not understand the significance of the American flag to some, just go and ask a mother who has had the color guard hand her the flag that was layed on her child's casket. Unfortunately I know a few too many mothers, wives, and children that have received those flags, if you doubt just how important the flag is to them just ask.

Sorry for the brief rant, but all that most people who do respect the flag ask, is if you are going to fly it, respect it. If you want to show how patriotic you are, but can't take proper care of the flag, just buy a lot of red, white, and blue ribbon, and leave the flag flying to those who will respect it.

 

I must disagree with you Mrwhite! It is the flag of all the people, and it is to be respected differently by different folks.. The flag is a symbol of who we are.. and we are not all alike. The high court has deceided that for us several times. If you are comfortable in what you think about the flag, good for you. Please do not try to tell others to use red, white and blue cloth for what they wish to do with a flag. You see their forefathers fought for it too... and the fighting was so we could do what we damn well pleased with it. Even burn it if we thought that was useful in making a point..
Try to remember it is only a symbol of who we are.. WE are the real thing! We the people. in order to have a more perfect union... not we the flag!
Big Jim

 

Big Jim, you cannot destroy a flag or depiction of a flag by making shirts or banners or whatever else you can imagine. Technically all the paper plates and napkins with the flag printed on them are not supposed to be sold. I completely agree with mrwhitefolx. I have handed a few too many folded flags to mothers, wives, and children.
If you think that burning a flag, or mutilating it to make bunting, or not taking care of it is respecting the flag than I am sorry but I can no longer agree with you. Yes, the people who don't take care of the flag have the same rights as the rest and yes their ancestors may have faught for the flag, but if they did I am going out on limb and guessing that they wouldn't want their children or children's children to disgrace the colors that they endured so much strife for.
While it may only be a symbol, it is something that should be held in a much higher reverance than that. You are correct in saying that is stands for the people, and no matter what the people will always be here. Sorry if it seems like I am flaming or trying to be a horse's a$$, but I spent time doing military funerals, and my family has lost several good men for the colors, not to mention the dozen or so friends that have either been injured or killed overseas right now.

 

Howdy MrMustang
No flaming here either just a conversation of how each feels about the flag..
In times past the flag was all the uneducated KNEW about their country.. Not only Americans, but world wide since the beginning of the written word..
I too, have lost family members since and including the war of independence.. also the civil war (thankfully no union members of the family) and WWI and the big war..
The flag is not about war or dead warriors! In my mind the flag is about who we are at the moment.. And today we are much more educated than when Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.. Our country is so much more and the country itself is what is respected now..
As far as using the flag simulations as napkins and clothing.. these too are symbols of our respect and love of our country being shown in the manner that is universally understood in today's world..
Everyone should wake up to the fact that the old ways are not good for today's society. Sure we respect that our forefathers did thus and such about the flag and that was great, but today we have a lot more to think about than whether or not a flag accidentally touched the ground under the flag pole or not.. In the overall scheme of things that does not matter much really now does it?
In today's world where google is placing EVERY book that has ever been written on their site where ANYONE in the world can read it in ANY language..
these enormous things make the happenings to the symbol of our country seem trivial indeed.
Yes I thank the guys and their families that have made the sacrifices for our country.. my own family included.. they made progress possible and the uses of the flag symbol are progress, to me anyway.
Big Jim

 

"Is it okay for an advertisement to use the flag?
No. "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.""

OK, now doesn't the president and other candidates running for office almost always have the flag behind them in their political advertisements?


<LI>I fly my flag at home 24 hours a day. What does "properly illuminated" mean?

It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.