Flag burning should I do it?

Skynut

No not the hippy protesting jackass desecrating the flag in support of their cause type of burning.
I am talking about Old Glory has seen better days and needs to be retired type of burning.
As a kid I was taught that the flag was to be held in high regard and the only way to properly get rid of it was to burn it. In fact I can remember hearing that the flag was supposed to be burned if it touched the ground.
Well now I have my battered flag, it is torn and tattered. I just can't seem to bring myself to burn my flag.
Aside from the fact that there is probably pollutants in it; I just see so many A-holes burning the flag because they think it makes them look serious or like rebels or will help them make the news.
I will feel unpatriotic if I just toss it into the trash. That just does not seem like the right way to show respect for this countries highest symbol.

So, what should I do?
How should I do it?
Help a patriot out with some advice.

Thanks.

Sami

Skynut wrote:

NAs a kid I was taught that the flag was to be held in high regard and the only way to properly get rid of it was to burn it. In fact I can remember hearing that the flag was supposed to be burned if it touched the ground.

Both true. Burn it.

steveinaz

Proper disposal is burning. Do it in your backyard in a metal trash can or something.

tryrrthg

http://www.legion.org/?section=americanism&subsection=flag_faq&content=flag_faq

RuSsMaN

Don't do it man.

You need pull out some Johnny Cash.

Ragged Old Flag
I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, Your old courthouse is kinda run down.
He said, Naw, it'll do for our little town.

I said, Your flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.
He said, Have a seat, and I sat down.
Is this the first time you've been to our little town?

I said, I think it is. He said, I don't like to brag,
But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag.
You see, we got a little hole in that flag there
When Washington took it across the Delaware.

And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams.
And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though.

She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.

On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp and low a time or two.

She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they've about quit waving her back here at home.

In her own good land she's been abused --
She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused.
And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.

And she's getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she's in good shape for the shape she's in.
'Cause she's been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more.

So we raise her up every morning, Take her down every night.
We don't let her touch the ground And we fold her up right.
On second thought I DO like to brag,
'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.

nadams

Our local boyscout troups hold flag retirement ceremonies on occasion. Down around the philadelphia area I've seen what look like postal mailboxes sittin on street corners, put there specifically for hte purpose of flag disposal. I think that one of the local legions comes and pics them up and retires the properly from time to time.

Sami

tryrrthg wrote:

http://www.legion.org/?section=americanism&subsection=flag_faq&content=flag_faq

Hmmm, I guess this differs from where I'm from. Half-staff is displayed in households where death has taken away a family member.

Q: What is the significance of displaying the flag at half-staff?

A: This gesture is a sign to indicate the nation mourns the death of an individual(s), such as death of the President or former President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justice, member of Congress, Secretary of an executive or military department, etc. Only the President of the United States or the Governor of the State may order the flag to be half-staffed. The honor and reverence accorded this solemn act is quickly becoming eroded by those individuals and agencies that display the flag at half-staff on inappropriate occasions without proper authority to do so.

cfrizz

Give it to a Boy Scout troop or a VFW & let them do it.

Tour2ma

I don't see how flying your personal flag at half staff for a loved one can be an issue...

POP QUIZ: What does flying the flag upside down signify?

S-nut,
If it's an old friend that means that much to you, give it a proper fold and tuck it away in one of those vacuum seal bags.
Note: Doesn't work so well for pets...

Sami

Tour2ma wrote:

POP QUIZ: What does flying the flag upside down signify?

In some cases nothing as some flags are identical upside down.

Skynut

Tour2ma wrote:

POP QUIZ: What does flying the flag upside down signify?

When I see this I think they want to get new windows. :mad:

thehaens@cox.net

Sky - Thanks for asking about the proper disposal of the National Ensign. Many would just throw it out with the daily trash. It shows your character as a citizen.

Here is what is stated in section 8K of the US Flag Code:

"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

Some other members of the forum have hit it already, but the VFW or the local Elks Lodge can provide this service if you are uneasy about the burning of it.

Scott
GySgt USMC

PolkThug

Is it made of cotton or toxic stuff?

Skynut

PolkThug wrote:

Is it made of cotton or toxic stuff?

Feels like cotton but it might have polyester in it.

BIZILL

Tour2ma wrote:

POP QUIZ: What does flying the flag upside down signify?

in the movie 'the last castle' with robert redford, doesn't it mean persons are in distress?

bobman1235

I believe a flag upside down is a signal of distress. I've heard that on more than one occasion.

thehaens@cox.net

Tour2ma wrote:

I don't see how flying your personal flag at half staff for a loved one can be an issue...

POP QUIZ: What does flying the flag upside down signify?

...

Had to go to the Code book on this one:

Section 8:

The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

As far as displaying for a loved one, unfortunately there isn't any provisions in the code stating this. It states that the flag is flown at half mast when a President or Vice President has died. It can also be flown upon Presidential proclamation. There is many instances when this is done, but again, none make provisions for a family member, unless of course the family members meets the provisions.

However, the Army Regulations do make provisions on this subject, it states that you may show mourning by:

"Attaching a streamer of black crepe 7 feet long and 1 foot wide attached to the staff immediately below the spearhead of the U.S. flag."

Hope this helps..

Scott

Skynut

I love all the responses.

I just got a new fire pit for my back yard and I might burn the flag in it since it is brand new and all.

If I do I will have a nice ceremony with the kids to help them understand the importance of patriotisim.

Demiurge

In reference to the flag being flown at half-staff.

It is a big deal when you're breaking the code, it's supposed to have meaning and significance. When people were putting the flag at half-staff around here when Reggie White died there was a huge uproar about it.

I don't really care if people do it, it's just disrespectful, and the VFW groups get really irate about it. Then again that honor means a lot more to them than many Americans, sadly.

thehaens@cox.net

Demiurge wrote:

When people were putting the flag at half-staff around here when Reggie White died there was a huge uproar about it.

Maybe the President should of made a special proclamation for Reggie White J/K of course, that shouldn't of been done.

Go Pack Go!!!!!!

Demiurge

thehaens@cox.ne wrote:

Maybe the President should of made a special proclamation for Reggie White J/K of course, that shouldn't of been done.

Go Pack Go!!!!!!

As much as we loved him, nah. lol

Lately it's more like:

Blow Pack Blow!!!!

I'm so scared.

thehaens@cox.net

Off Topic: I am keeping the faith....I have to. I am like number 64K for season tickets, my son is like 64K +1. He may live long enough to get em'

On Topic: It is good to see that people still hold the Flag in high regards...

Scott

Sami

Demiurge wrote:

In reference to the flag being flown at half-staff.

It is a big deal when you're breaking the code, it's supposed to have meaning and significance. When people were putting the flag at half-staff around here when Reggie White died there was a huge uproar about it.

There is a big difference in half-staffing the flag in memory of a public figure and a household member. Back home, half-staff is used on the day the death occurs until sunset, and on the burial day until the deceased has been blessed. Only at the house where the deceased lived, nowhere else. Of course, this has nothing to do with the US flag.

Demiurge

Sami wrote:

There is a big difference in half-staffing the flag in memory of a public figure and a household member. Back home, half-staff is used on the day the death occurs until sunset, and on the burial day until the deceased has been blessed. Only at the house where the deceased lived, nowhere else. Of course, this has nothing to do with the US flag.

If you're lowering the United States flag to half-staff for your family member you are breaking the Flag Code, any other flag...have at it.

Demiurge

thehaens@cox.ne wrote:

Off Topic: I am keeping the faith....I have to. I am like number 64K for season tickets, my son is like 64K +1. He may live long enough to get em'

On Topic: It is good to see that people still hold the Flag in high regards...

Scott

Are you local when you're not on active/base duty? There are a crazy number of people in line for season tickets. I hope you guys get them someday!

thehaens@cox.net

Demiurge

I graduated out of Sturgeon Bay, (approx 40 miles from G.B.), I do have family in Green Bay, of which many have season tickets. As a matter of fact my Uncle just received his 5 years ago, and was on the waiting list since the mid 60's...figure about a 40 year wait.....

Scott

Sami

Demiurge wrote:

If you're lowering the United States flag to half-staff for your family member you are breaking the Flag Code, any other flag...have at it.

That's what I've said all along.

Anyways, it's just a code. If you feel like breaking it, you can and are allowed to.

thehaens@cox.net

Sami wrote:

Anyways, it's just a code. If you feel like breaking it, you can and are allowed to.

(shaking my head).....I guess you are right, some will choose to either live by it or not, but it is the duty or obligation for us as good citizens to uphold the code, and when it is being broken. Let those know that they are doing wrong.

I have knocked on many a door in my neighborhood letting the owner know when they are in the wrong. Such as displaying the flag after sundown, without a light shining on it. Or letting them know that their flag is faded, torn, stained etc. and should be replaced. Or letting them know that although I appreciate the fact that they are flying a POW/MIA flag, that it is not to be flown higher than the National flag, the list goes on.

And so far, everyone I have corrected, has fixed the discrepancy, some even apolgizing as they didn't know any better..

Scott

Skynut

Good for you Scott.
I fly my American flag on one side of my garage and the Pow/Mia flag on the other.
Both are on long poles and are up out of my way.
Both are at the same height.
I do sometimes forget to take them down at night so I plan on putting dusk to dawn lights up in the future.

thehaens@cox.net

Sky

Perfect.....and if you aren't aware. The American Flag is to be flown on the right side of your garage. That is the Flags right.

That sounds confusing.

OK, if you are standing in front of your garage and looking at your garage the American Flag is to be flown on your left.

Scott

Skynut

I was curious about that.
I usually have it the other way because I am the last house on a dead end street.The way my house faces that would make the flag the last thing on the street and the Pow/Mia would be closest to my front door.
I will change it next time.