The meaning behind the torn and tattered American flags of February 2021
It's February 14th, 2021, and here in suburban Phoenix, Arizona I'm now seeing torn and tattered American flags flying from houses, and even some businesses. And you may be wondering if they're allowed to do that, and the answer is yes. But it has nothing to do with freedom of speech, and I'll see if I can explain.
The weather here in the Phoenix area is so beautiful that, other than some fading from the sun, there's really no reason for a flag to be torn, tattered, and dirty. So these flags that are flying like that have been intentionally damaged, to show defiance. They have been taken down and intentionally shredded. It's the kind of defiance that any enemy of a country shows. It's nothing new, it's all part of enemy action.
War is hell. And during wars enemies shoot at us, sink our battleships, and try to do as much damage as possible, including destroying our flag. It's a symbolic gesture, but it's just part of what happens. An enemy's flag proudly waving is the last thing that an opposing force wants to see. They want to knock it down, shoot it full of holes, and destroy it. It's the same as their goal is to destroy the other country.
And so, to answer your question, as a patriotic American, like I am, you want to respect the flag. You want to fly it proudly, never torn and tattered, never dirty, not even at night without a light shining on it. But it's a question of wanting to. If you don't, you don't.
I feel a deep sadness for the people who have wanted to destroy the country that I love. But it's nothing new. And the only response for people like me is to raise the flag, and show it proudly.
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Well, I certainly agree with this!
ReplyDeleteI have a flag that went thru 2020 and got frozen in the big freeze. When the wind blew it go torn because it was frozen. Bought a new one to take its place but hung the old one in the backyard in remembrance of the year we went thru. It may be tattered but it still waves well. Am I wrong for letting this flag fly
ReplyDeleteYes. When a flag is damaged, you replace it as quickly as you can. This may help: Displaying the Flag
DeleteOn Same Staff
U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag.
Grouped
U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same height.
Marching
U.S. flag to marchers right (observer's left).
On Speaker's Platform
When displayed with a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it is on the speaker's right.
Decoration
Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red.
Salute
All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Over a Street Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street.
Half Staff
On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
Special Rules
Do not let the flag touch the ground.
Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
Do not use the flag as clothing.
Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
Do not use it as a cover.
Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag.
Illumination Guidelines
Per Federal Flag Code, Section 2, paragraph (a), 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.
You, and apparently many other "patriots" have seem to have forgotten this part.
DeleteThe flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.