Flag Display

[1940plymouth]

Is the right way to display the three flags I have?

Thanks,

Bob

[randroid]

Bob,

The American flag should be in the center and the tallest, which you have done correctly. So far as State flags go I'm not up on their pecking order as to left or right side because I don't think anybody cares a whole lot more than I do.

-Randy

[Niel Hoback]

Randroid is right. When Old Glory is diplayed in a row of flags of the same height, it should be on the left end. When in the middle it should be higher than all the others.

Stand there and stare at it once in a while. You'll see how stunningly beautiful it is.

[greg g]

http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

[TodFitch]

http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

From that web site:

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

I see people in photos, usually politicians, giving a military style salute to the flag. This really irks me as only those in uniform should do that. Even if you are in the military, if you are out of uniform you should use the civilian right hand over heart salute.

[desoto1939]

LAst weekend I was attending a MArching BAnd competition with my youngerst daughter who is inthe Color Guard for our High School.

At the end of the entire competition which was held on September 11,2010

The had a presentatiion by the highschool ROTC cadets.

When the colors were brought on to the field I noticed that the American flag was at the same height as the state flag and I knew that this was incorrect.

It is ashame that the ROTC cadets and their sponsor did not even take notice to this small but important fact espcially when they were doing a presnetation in honor of the people that lost their lives during hte 9/11 attach on the World Towers Building.

I also had someting smilar at our local Middle School last year in which they left the American flag up on the Flag pole at night and there were no lights on the flag. I called the district superintendent and informed them that if the flag is to be flown at night then they need to have direct lights on the flag.

Need to say they were taken back by the fact that I brought this to their notification. To even make matters worse is that we had just finished play some volleyball and two of the players were Marines and they noticed this and it upset set them greatly. I told the administration about this and they appologized for the oversite.

It is ashame that people that should know how to respect the flag have forgotten all of the rules. When I was in Jr HS the school store members always took down the flag and we were taught how to respect the flag and how to fold it correctly and we were taught how to care for the flag since it represntations our country and what our Armed Forces had died for.

Sorry if I am on a soap box but we can not let the kids of today and world disrespect out symbol of FREEDOM.

I am not a veteran but my dad served in WWII.

Rich Hartung

[p24-1953]

just a intersting FYI texas is the only state that is allowed to fly their state flag at a equal heigth to the US flag.

[Niel Hoback]

Not a flag fact, but, if Alaska were cut in half, Texas would be the third largest state.

[greg g]

I believe State and community flags may be displayed or flown at the same height as the US flag as long as the US flag has its place of honor, and then no flag is displayed or flown higher. State community organization flags should also be smaller but in no case larger. Veterans with lots of military service should probably be cut some slack id they salute rather than do the hand over heart honor as it is just their training coming out. You know muscle memory. I would direct my ire at those who don't show any regard for its presentation.

Edited September 21, 2010 by greg g

[randroid]

Folks,

P24-1953 was correct about Texas (and only Texas) being allowed to fly equally to the US flag but does anybody else know why or the one other thing that is unique to Texas for the same reason?

This is a rhetorical question so think of it as a 'whatzit'.

-Randy

[Plymouthy Adams]

urban legend, no documentation to the fact..

[TodFitch]

urban legend, no documentation to the fact..

I went searching for that one. I found that the Texas flag code allows it. But that the US flag code does not show exceptions for any state. Generally US code supersedes state codes...

Maybe there is an obscure law other than the US flag code that covers this.

Or maybe Texas just thought that it did not have to follow the same rules as other states and has not been called on it.

[RobertKB]

At one time, Texas was an independent country between the time it was part of Mexico and later joining the US. Not sure for how many years, but definitely was a nation. Maybe that is why.

[Frank Elder]

The republic of texas lasted from 1836?/1846 when it became a state....then became a confederate state and then again a union state, who knows what is next for Texicans, eh Senores?

[TodFitch]

At one time, Texas was an independent country between the time it was part of Mexico and later joining the US. Not sure for how many years, but definitely was a nation. Maybe that is why.

All the original colonies were sovereign after the revolution until they decided to form the US. There was a very short lived California Republic. And Hawaii was an independent country until it was over thrown by Americans and annexed. So Texas is not the only state that was once an independent country. I will grant you that the Texas Republic lasted 10 years so it was a sovereign nation longer than other states except Hawaii.

[randroid]

Folks,

The US wanted Texas as a state for a number of reasons but Texas wasn't too hot on the idea of being subordinate to any country other than itself so the US bribed Texas to join. There were a number of items included in the bribe but obviously a good chili recipe was not one of them so Texas kept that at home. What they were given was equal status with the US government, hence the flags being at the same level. The other unique arrangement was that Texas was allowed to keep its own army and navy; something no other state was allowed to do. The forces soon became their Coast Guard and National Guard although I don't know if they are still autonomous. I guess some of the brassy arrogance attributed to many Texans is well deserved.

-Randy

[greg g]

Wasn't the governor one of those fellows talking about cessation a while back??? Gonna cost a lot to move that fence.

[Captain Neon]

Don't worry about any mainstream, i.e. Demopublican or Republicrat, candidates speaking of secession. It's all Election rhetoric to get rednecks like me to register and vote again. They'll roll over and play nice again when the elections are over.

Election Season

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a club and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress.

They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that, before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the head of state joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing.

They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then the senator answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and club, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now all there is is a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning......Today you voted for us!"

[randroid]

Ben,

I don't think I've ever heard it put better! Another notch on the gnarly belt of cynicism.

-Randy