Originally posted by: Bateluer
Its kinda sad that more people don't fly the flag. Though, a great many of people that I do see flying the flag are doing so improperly. I've seen flags on poles during rain when its not an all weather flag, I've seen flags on poles at night with no illumination, etc. I reside in an apartment, so I can't simply put a flag pole up, however, I have a small framed flag that I stick in my window during the day only.
Who is to say that is improper? The Flag Code is a guideline of recommendations; it is not a code of law that is black & white.. such as .. if you murder someone, you go to jail.
http://www.flagguys.com/etiq.html#sept
"Flags At Night: Spotlight?
Question: I enjoyed your site and will try and use you for any flag related purchases in the future. I am wondering though if I am doing the wrong thing. I leave my flag up at my house all the time and I don't have a light shining on it after dark. In a residential setting do I need to either take it down at dusk, or keep a light shining on it?
Answer: The Flag Code says
(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 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
The code makes no distinction between residential and non residential settings. The code is silent on the meaning of "properly illuminated." Here is what The American Legion says on its web site regarding that point:
"The American Legion interprets " proper illumination" as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer."
Flags At Night: Stick Flags
Question: Thank you for your great informational website! > I have a question about taking down the flag at sunset: I have an American flags (about 3' x 5') flying from a pole near our front door. On Memorial day I placed small flags (12" x 18") on each of my cul-de-sac neighbors laws. I made a great neighborhood patriotic display which they seemed to appreciate. One neighbor brings her lawn flag inside everyday before sunset. Is it disrespectful to our flags to leave them out at night? Thank you very much for your service! CW Cmdr, U.S. Navy, Retired
Answer: Sir. Thank you for your great question. Here is what "The Flag Code" says:
"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 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."
The Code does not say what "properly illuminated" means. The American Legion says illuminated is to be defined as "having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer." It must also be observed that nation wide millions of flags are placed on graves and monuments where there is no illumination. Arlington puts out a couple hundred thousand on memorial day. They do not take them in at night."
I guarantee you, Arlington cemetary officials do not light up every single flag displayed throughout the cemetery.
Flag Myths
Flag Myths
If the flag touches the ground it must be burned:
False.
Only The American Legion or The Boy Scouts are allowed to retire US flags by burning them:
False. Those fine organizations are not the only ones allowed to do so and do not claim to be. They both have fine ceremonies to retire worn flags. Other groups such as The Girl Scouts do too. As well, any private person may do so on his own. The Flag Code only calls for a worn out flag to be "destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." It does not restrict flag retirement by burning to any one group. In fact, it does not restrict the destruction to burning.
The gold ball on top of a flagpole contains a razor blade, a match and a bullet:
False. I've seen inside lots of gold balls and have never seen anything in there other than New York air. This myth gets told in different variations and is invariably accompanied by an explanation something like this: As the invading hoards are bearing down on his hopeless position, the last man standing can at least have time to get the razor blade, shred the flag, burn the pieces and then do himself in with the bullet. The story never includes the explanation as how he is supposed to get up to the top of the flagpole. Click here for a more detailed essay on this myth. One advisory. The author of that essay does mix up the terms "ball", "truck" and "pulley." The truck is the housing at the flagpole top into which the ball screws. The truck also houses the pulley wheel.
It is improper to fly the American flag in the rain: False. The Flag Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 6 specifically allows this practice if "an all weather flag is displayed." The code is silent on what an all weather flag is, but the intent sure sounds like it means a flag that is able to stand up to the conditions. Even very light weight flags can do so. They just will not do so as long as the better models.