Etiquette of the Stars and Stripes | A Continuous Lean.
I love this post, I only wish more kids knew about flag etiquette! What’s interesting is the meaning behind the 13 folds of the US flag by an honor guard.
I had a summer job as a janitor back in ’79, and one of my duties was raising the flag in the morning and lowering it in the afternoon. Not knowing any better, I let if touch the ground. A WWII veteran happened to pass by one day, pulled into the circular drive where I and the flag were, and reamed me for my discourteous treatment of the flag. I was mortified, but apologized and never forgot. Although I would have appreciated a kinder rebuke, this was a man who put his life on the line defending the flag and much more, so I deserved what I got. Every American student should be required to learn these rules imho, but I am sure in this age of hyper-political correctness, some group would be offended and some judge would determine that it’s unconstitutional.
When I was in Boy Scouts, it was a mortal sin to let the flag touch the ground. And it was inforced by the scouts, not the scout leaders. If it did touch the ground, you would never hear the end of it.
We still teach most of this in scouts.
Fausto, I wish more adults knew about flag etiquette.
Mike, thanks for pointing that out – I remember having to learn all this at some point in Scouts, earlier on. I still cringe every time I see a flag displayed incorrectly.
“Never use it for advertising purposes in any form.”. I’d never heard that tidbit before. Interesting.
Fair enough. Wondering how many Americans would consider the same approach by other cultures with a different flag and religion to be extremist?
What was it Samuel Johnson said on that evening in April 1775?
Just past the gate there are people walking by and I am always amazed and a bit let down by their apathy. Most don’t even look.
Flag ettiquette is as rare as the sentiment that inspires it.
D. Buckner â€” Thanks for the comment. Where are you stationed?
Amazing post, hung a flag in the house today and kept those stripes off the ground!
I now know more about the USA flag than my own….. Australia but I love both are red, white and blue and stars are significant on both flags.
I’m at Georgia’s Golden Isles at the moment. Under the oaks.