For those of you who fly the American flag at your camp

[Wrace]

I have seen a number of campers who fly the American or Canadian flag at their camps. I'm considering doing the same if I can figure out some kind of pole system that is not too cumbersome.

I seem to recall part of the flag protocol is that if the flag is left up at night it is supposed to be sufficiently lighted?

Do you leave your flag up at night, and if so is it lighted? I ask because I don't know that my mounting system is going to be conducive to lowering and hoisting the flag each day, more like something that would be put up during camp set-up and taken down during camp tear-down. Further, we most frequently camp where there is no 110v power so lighting it would be a challenge unless maybe there are battery powered LED lanterns these days that will last all night for two nights.

Thanks

[ol_Bombero-JC]

rockportrocket wrote:
The United States Flag:
Federal Law Relating to Display
and Associated Questions
Summary
This report presents, verbatim, the United States “Flag Code” as found in Title
4 of the United States Code and the section of Title 36 which designates the Star-
Spangled Banner as the national anthem and provides instructions on how to display
the flag during its rendition. The “Flag Code” includes instruction and rules on such
topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use of the flag by civilians, time and
occasions for display, position and manner of display, and how to show respect for
the flag. The “Code” also grants to the President the authority to modify the rules
governing the flag.
The report also addresses several of the frequently asked questions concerning
the flag. The subject matter of these questions includes the pledge of allegiance and
the court decisions concerning it, the nature of the codifications of customs
concerning the flag in the “Flag Code,” display of the flag 24 hours a day, flying the
flag in bad weather, flying the flag at half-staff, ornaments on the flag, destruction of
worn flags, display of the U.S. flag with flags of other nations or of States,
commercial use of the flag, size and proportion of the flag, and restrictions upon
display of the flag by real estate associations.

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

I spent 7 years and am totally disabled due to war. Fighting for the American flag. If you cant display it properly, DONT !!!!!!!!!!!

Well said - especially your last sentence,

"If you can't display it properly, DON'T !!!!!!!!!!!"

It's not difficult to comply with proper flag etiquette!
If you're patriotic enough to fly the flag, why not do so properly.:S

BTW -
"A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including my life'. that is Honor, and there is way too many people in this country who no longer understand it". Author unknown.

Thanks to you, and all the living and dead, who "wrote the check".

~

[mbrule]

In my post above where I quoted HpyKmpr1962, my text is not showing up???


What it should say is, HpyKmpr1962 I like you setup! If you don't mind, what are you using for a mount and pole?

Thanks!

[IAMICHABOD]

paulsang wrote:

WoodGlue wrote:
Paulsang, do you think I'm un-American?

WoodGlue

Your statement troubled me. But,it may be that you honestly don't get it and were never taught so.

Many posts already covered the what and why.

paulsang,Larry

I agree,now we all know what the block list is for.

[LarryJM]

WoodGlue wrote:
I was just waiting for someone to call me a commie!

BTW, My Dad is a decorated Korean War vet and as no trouble with my flying the flag 24/7.

What do the Amish do to fly a flag after dark?

WoodGlue

Your lastest post above now leads me to the conclusion that you are beyond help in understanding/comprehending or appreciating why the Flag should be displayed properly and Paulsang probably had it right when he said

But, it may be that you just honestly don't get it, and were never taught so.

And even after all this discussion STILL DON'T GET IT.:R

Larry

[mbrule]

HpyKmpr1962 wrote:

[K3WE]

So, Mr. Wood Glue.

I find a lot of this on internet forums and it bugs me: "I know the rules, and you aren't following them so you have no redeeming values."

I call it black and white thinking.

That being said, lots of soldiers have fought and died over the flag, so in the 1920's someone came up with some rules that we should treat the flag very special- the concept of not flying it in the dark or bad weather is an idea to espeically honor the flag.

So the question to you is if you think it might be nice if you followed those rules to give the flag some extra respect? No it's not the crime of the century if you do not and evidently it didn't matter before 1920, but it seems like a reasonable set of rules to treat the flag extra special.

I do hear you loud and clear that simply following or reciting the rules does not neccesarily mean respect- and indeed you have family that has served the country and that means a lot more than a spotlight.

While I think the rule reciters need a common sense pill and maybe even a mirror, (as I bet some of them disrespect the country or veterans in ways they may not think about) I wonder if you are capable of saying, yeah, maybe I should consider following the "treat-the-flag-special-because-folks-died" rules?

You are not a Commie, but, do you really belive that the 1920 flag rules don't have some merit?

[WoodGlue]

I was just waiting for someone to call me a commie!

BTW, My Dad is a decorated Korean War vet and as no trouble with my flying the flag 24/7.

What do the Amish do to fly a flag after dark?

WoodGlue

[2012Coleman]

Edited by me...

[brooks379]

As I travel all around the country I am seeing a lot of flags in places and on cars and trucks that aren't even American flags. Seems like with all the immigrants coming in they want their flag flying. My family has spilt a lot of blood dating back to the 1700's fighting for this country and it's getting to the point where I'm just glad to see some people flying Old Glory today. I don't think people who fly the flag and don't follow code mean any disrespect though I wish they would follow it. I am just glad to see American flags waving. Remember when all the cars and trucks had the yellow ribbons stuck on them ? Well we are still at war and the yellow ribbons are gone. God Bless America and the Flag. Any vet's or anyone else who disagrees with me I offer my apologies and that's something I very seldom would do, but the flag means a lot to me and I think more Americans need to fly it.

[paulsang]

WoodGlue wrote:
Paulsang, do you think I'm un-American?

WoodGlue

Your statement troubled me. But, it may be that you just honestly don't get it, and were never taught so.

Many posts already covered the what and why.

[rockportrocket]

THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Our nation reveres the flag, not out of a sense of unquestioning worship but out of a deep sense of our national heritage. Strengthened by our noble deeds, splendid accomplishments, and untold sacrifices, the flag reflects America's pledge to uphold Freedom and work for peace throughout the world. It is America's strength in honor, as dignified in the stars and stripes of the flag, which helps to establish the moral character of our national foundation.

The flag, endearingly referred to as "Old Glory," represents all people of America. We, the people, are America. It is little wonder that the people of America are moved when saluting the flag is it passes by, reminding us that we are a part of this great land. We are "one nation under God."

Its unfurled banner, which symbolizes the love and pride that we have as a nation, is a poignant reminder of America's greatness and our fortune to live in a country which values freedom above all else. It signifies the commitment made by our fallen comrades who battled bravely to defend the honor of this sacred emblem - our American unity, our power, and our purpose as a nation, and it exemplifies the devotion of our leaders who continue to uphold its promise of liberty, justice and freedom for all.

Nothing evokes such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either a ceremony honoring a great event or draped over the coffin of a military veteran as a sign of mourning for a hero and a loved one.

The Flag Code

Previous to Flag Day, June 14, 1923 there were no federal or state regulations governing display of the United States Flag. It was on this date that the National Flag Code was adopted by the National Flag Conference which was attended by representatives of the Army and Navy which had evolved their own procedures, and some 66 other national groups. This purpose of providing clear guidance based on the Army and Navy procedures relating to display and associated questions about the U. S. Flag was adopted by all organizations in attendance.

A few minor changes were made a year later during the Flag Day 1924 Conference, It was not until June 22, 1942 that Congress passed a joint resolution which was amended on December 22, 1942 to become Public Law 829; Chapter 806, 77th Congress, 2nd session. Exact rules for use and display of the flag (36 U.S.C. 173-178) as well as associated sections (36 U.S.C. 171) Conduct during Playing of the National Anthem, (36 U.S.C. 172) the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Manner of Delivery were included.

This code is the guide for all handling and display of the Stars and Stripes. It does not impose any penalties, neither civil or criminal for misuse of the United States Flag. That is left to the states and to the federal government for the District of Columbia. Each state has its own flag law.

Criminal penalties for certain acts of desecration to the flag were contained in Title 18 of the United States Code prior to 1989. The Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson; June 21, 1989, held the statute unconstitutional. This statute was amended when the Flag Protection Act of 1989 (Oct. 28, 1989) imposed a fine and/or up to I year in prison for knowingly mutilating, defacing, physically defiling, maintaining on the floor or trampling upon any flag of the United States. The Flag Protection Act of 1989 was struck down by the Supreme Court decision, United States vs. Eichman, decided on June 11, 1990.
************************************

It appears that some think that the flag of the U.S. does not mean diddly squat. I fear for our country for those that would demean the flag. Without pride and respect, goes our freedom and our liberty. Why do some think we even have a flag regulation? For the fun of it?

It may be a small thing to some, as it appears, but to many , the flag is the symbol of America. Some say we have other things to worry about. If you cannot respect the rules of the flag, that is where the roll down the hill starts.

I am done, and I hope that those that break the flag rules, realize that many know the true attitude towards the flag of those that violate the true meaning of the flag. Or in the military they say "you have shown your true colors"!

[GENECOP]

Gau 8 wrote:

GENECOP wrote:
We put a Flag up at our site, we have a basic plastic holder mounted to the back of our Rig, we do not light it at night and we do not take it in at night....

Then you are disrespecting the flag. I applaud your initiative but when you put out an American flag you take on a responsibility. Kind of like getting a puppy. You must take down the flag at night or light it .. It should also be taken down in inclement weather.

Ever been to a military facility? Retreat is the name of the ceremony that takes the flag down every night. You must stop your car during this time. If you are outdoors you must come to attention, face the flag, and render a hand salute. When the flag becomes tattered and worn it must be disposed of properly.

I spent 23 years of my life defending your right to fly that flag. I hate to see Old Glory displayed improperly.


Lt Col USAF Retired


Thankyou for your service, What do you think you spent 23 years of your life defending? You have defended my right to be an individual, you have defended my right to make choices and do things as I see fit. I fly the Flag for reasons that are my own, and I treat the Flag with the respect that is defined by me not by some law or by some person that thinks they know better. I don't salute the Flag when I wake up. I don't lower it on specific days, I have not spent 23 years in the service so of coarse I have a different relationship with the Flag that you do. As far as I am concerned anyone who makes an effort is OK in my book.....

Lt Col USAF Retired

[Charlie_D_]

SuzzeeeQ2012 wrote:
We've had a flag on a pole. It's a telescoping one and we gave up. it keeps falling down.


would love a solution to this.

I have the Telepole telescoping flag pole and had problems with it dropping until I learned to pull quickly and firmly while doing a twisting motion. To break it down, I tap the bottom on the ground. Hope this helps you.

[allen8106]

I fly the US and Kansas flag, they are lit every night by an auto on/off flood light I made myself. The flag pole is a 25 foot telescopic mounted in a custom made flag pole holder that I am in the process of patenting.