Love it by respecting it - The American Flag

I have been around a lot of patriotic events and people lately. I find it a little troubling the violations to the flag code I have seen. I know, there's a flag code? Yes, there is and it has some clearly defined rules for how the flag is displayed and when. I thought I would share with you a few of the common, probably unknown violations.

Notice the VET over the flag.  Not okay! Section 176 Respect for the flag

(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor should attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.

I know this Purple Heart Veteran, if he knew, he would be mortified.

On the Run for the Wall we stopped in Walmart in Grand Prairie, Texas.  One of the sale displays had American flags stapled to the wall with sale signs stapled on top of them. When my husband saw my mortification he asked to speak to the store manager and had the display taken down. Hats off to the store manager, she was as mortified as I was and immediately had it taken down.

Here are a few highlights of the flag code.

Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the most common questions:

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
• The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

We all MUST treat the flag with the respect it deserves. If we do not treat the flag with respect and honor the flag code eventually what the American flag stands for will lose it's meaning as well.

God Bless America.

More flag violations to come.