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

[fj12ryder]

Disgust can lead to replies made in haste.

[punomatic]

Here is a link to the basics of flag etiquette. The first item on the list: "The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source."

It troubles me when people don't show proper respect for the American flag, symbol of our great nation. In our current culture, it seems, little respect is shown for anything or anybody. Let's not lose our respect for the flag..."and (for) the republic for which it stands."

[Mike_and_Trish]

JJBIRISH wrote:
You do not need to prove your patriotism by flying it and flying the flag does not prove your patriotism…

So true. My favorite thought on the subject:

"Loudly proclaiming your patriotism doesn't prove you're patriotic -- it only proves you're loud."

[noe-place]

I have an American flag decal on the rear window of my truck. I also have both flags from the military funerals of my Dad (USAAF WWII) and and my Father in Law (USN WWII). I proudly show both flags in formal display cases in my home. Each case has a gold plaque with name, rank, theater of service and date of passing. My father in law and I were going to install a flag pole for the Colors in on my front lawn but he passed before we could do it. Perhaps my grandson and I can finish the job. Whatever we do it will be done correctly.:)

[Gau_8]

bobwalter wrote:
Slight change of direction but still flag related. I just heard today from a disabled vet that Lowes now carries a door mat with the flag on it. (I have not verified this myself yet). If this is true, that to me is the ultimate disrespect of the flag. I could not wipe my feet on the flag. I hope that it was not made by an American company. Hopefully Lowes will realize that this is not a good item to sell in their stores and will send them back to the manufacturer.

Bob

Amazing!, What are these people thinking. Can anyone confirm this?

Edit:

I comsulted snopes.com. The mat was not an American flag per se but used colors and elements from same. I still think it is a poor idea.

Snopes Link
http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/doormat.asp

[bobwalter]

Slight change of direction but still flag related. I just heard today from a disabled vet that Lowes now carries a door mat with the flag on it. (I have not verified this myself yet). If this is true, that to me is the ultimate disrespect of the flag. I could not wipe my feet on the flag. I hope that it was not made by an American company. Hopefully Lowes will realize that this is not a good item to sell in their stores and will send them back to the manufacturer.

Bob

[Wrace]

Thanks for the replies, reading through the links now. I think I can put together a set-up that will work for me and meet the flag code.

I suspect I will end up with a hitch receiver mount as a couple of times per year I camp with just my pickup (no TT) and the truck has a front mounted receiver. Installing a receiver on the back of the TT shouldn't be too hard and then I can use the same pole holder and flag pole assembly in both. Unfortunately my TT doesn't have a ladder.

[Gau_8]

spadoctor wrote:
I have a bracket mounted to the front jack. The American flag no longer need be lighted or taken down at night.

And what is your source for this statement?

[Jloucks]

Keep in mind, behind most rules is some idiot doing whatever prompted the rule.

Less idiots = less rules


So...reality stipulates we shall have a veritable glut of rules.

[Gau_8]

WoodGlue wrote:

SteelPony5555 wrote:
Not sure why or the reason for the flag not flying in the dark at night, but seems to be kind of a dumb thing to worry about. Just treat it with respect

Thank you for making this statement! I'd never think of flying a raggedy old flag, or letting the flag touch the ground. Having a great respect for the flag is what it's about to me anyway.

If our country were invaded and a flag of a different nation was to be displayed - let me tell you, you'd change your tune quickly and fly old glory 24/7 lit or unlit!

WoodGlue

Thats real fine Mr Woodglue, but if my country were invaded and a flag of a different nation were displayed I would not rest and sacrifice my life if necessary until the people who erected said flag were defeated and said flag was lowered and Old Glory was flying in its place! That is the definition of a true patriot.

Your responses disturb me.

[LarryJM]

WoodGlue wrote:
My question is a good and valid one:

What did people do before the US Flag Code as it's only been around since the early 1920's?

Were those folks any less patriotic or were they all just un-American for not displaying their flags "properly"?

WoodGlue

IMO that is a question that is not germane sort of like why didn't women vote before ammendment 19 or why didn't people only drive 55 before 1974 or continue driving 55 after 1987. Using your logic I guess it's O.K. to display the flag anyway you want (i.e. upside down, lower than other countries flags, etc., etc.) since before 1923 or so even those rules weren't codified or agree upon. Again the rule about illuminating it falls into the same category IMO as all the other rules. All I can do is repeat what I said before if you are going to do it why not do it right out of respect for it and others.

Larry

[Gau_8]

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

[CentralCoastCam]

Wiscampsin wrote:
I'm surprised nobody posted this link to a home made PVC flag pole.

http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/PVCflagpoleplans.html

I have used this DIY flag pole for many years and always take it down before sunset. My 9 year old son is very diligent on making sure it is taken down and folded properly.

Had a first happen when we were in San Diego over spring break. Had someone come into camp and ask who put up the flag. When I stated that I had, he asked what I thought about my tax dollars being used for Obamacare. Caught me off guard, as the last thing I want to do when on a family vacation is talk politics with a stranger. Before I could reply, the people we were camping with replied that we were showing our patriotism and respect for those who have served, not to open discussions about the political system. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[hone_eagle]

living thing

No disrespect should be shown to the flag ,considered a 'living thing'

If you dont understand fine ,its your flag and symbol of everything you stand for.

Do it right or dont do it at all.

[hone_eagle]

WoodGlue wrote:
Why won't anyone answer my question about what people did before the early 1920's?

It appears the "display your flag properly" crowd is the "i'm a better patriot than you because I display the flag the "right" way"

WoodGlue

Wood- flag display 'rules ' comes from British naval tradition adopted by most english speaking countries,goes back way way before the '20s.(hundreds of years)
Respect to tradition is your choice.
As a boater I always remember never display at night unless lit.
the list is long and I think very cool to follow.Look it up in a yachting google search,covers flags of pratique,size and placement of national and home country flag..........etc.
I shake my head at some of the disresect I see in camp grounds or should I say ignorance?