If you have a question, email me at [email protected]
Is it a Federal Crime to steal a Flag that is Flying? Sean Harris
It would fall into the catagory of LARCENY (Illegal taking and carrying away of personal property belonging to another with the purpose of depriving the owner of its possession. Etc.) Just because it is a flag that would be stolen, would not play into it at all (there is no special law reguarding the stealing of flags.)
I have a - (20', 2" diameter flag pole), that is a rope and pulley system. I am flying 2 flags, USA & USMC - my flags are constantly wrapping around the pole. How can I prevent this? Thanks, Robin D'Angelo
You really need a revolving truck, if your outside top dia. Is 2" then you will need a 2" cap and a revolving truck, the cap is about 45.00 and the truck is about $68.00.
Is a poem or song called Three Cheer For the flag ? from Cynthia
THREE CHEERS FOR THE FLAG
By Fannie True
A Song:
YOU'RE A GRAND OLD FLAG
by George M. Cohan
(Musical: George Washington Junior 1906)
Can you please tell me where are the five places the American flag is never flown at half mast? from Richard Class
Presidential proclamations and laws since
that time authorize the display of the flag 24 hours a day at the following
places:
Fort MeHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland
(Presidential Proclamation No.2795, July 2, 1948).
Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets, Baltimore Maryland (Public
Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954).
United States Marine Corp Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington, Virginia
(Presidential Proclamation No.3418, June 12, 1961).
On the Green of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335,
approved November 8, 1965).
The White House, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No.4000,
September 4.1970). Washington Monument, Washington, DC. (Presidential
Proclamation No.4064, July 6,1971, effective July 4, 1971). Fifty flags of
the United States are displayed at the Washington Monument continuously.
United States Customs Ports of Entry which are continually open
(Presidential Proclamation No.4131, May 5, 1972).
Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Valley
Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4, 1975).
The only flags that can not be displayed at 'half-staff' are those hung
vertically or horizontally against a wall or building.
What day is the American flag not flown over the capital?
The custom of flying the flags 24 hours a
day over the east and west fronts was begun during World War 1. This was
done in response to requests received from all over the country urging that
the flag of the United States be flown continuously over the public
buildings in Washington, DC.
Over the years similar proclamations and public laws have also authorized
the display of the United States flag 24 hours a day at:
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine (Baltimore, MD): 1948
Flag House Square (Baltimore, MD): 1954
United States Marine Corps (Iwo Jima) Memorial (Washington, D.C.): 1961
On the Green of the Town of Lexington, MA: 1965
The White House (Washington, D.C.): 1970
Washington Monument (Washington, D.C.): 1971
United States Customs Ports of Entry: 1972
The Grounds of the National Memorial Arch (Valley Forge, PA): 1975
You may request one of these flags at:
http://www.house.gov/mcintyre/flagform.htm
What is the proper placing of the US flag on an open casket? from Martin Buck
When the casket is opened, the flag is folded in a triangle and placed propped up near the head of the deceased, and lid.
When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the blue field covering the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or touch the ground at any time. The flag should never be used as the covering for a headstone or other statue or monument. Flag Over Casket
When taken from the casket, the flag should be formally and properly folded as a triangle with only the stars showing. Folding the Flag. Triangular plastic or glass storage cases on a wood base may be purchased from a flag dealer to hold the folded flag. The deceased may be shown respect by attaching an inscribed plaque of recognition on the base of the storage case.
Draping the casket with a United States Flag is an honor reserved for veterans or highly regarded state and national figures. Several organizations have defined the meaning of each fold when folding a flag from a casket. These are unique and original with each organization. None are official or included in the Flag Code. For more information please contact the National Flag Foundation.
This may be a tough one. My father and grandfather were both Veterans and when they died their caskets were draped with a flag. Our families received the flags, folded as they traditionally are after the funeral. Would it be improper to fly these flags? Both father and grandfather were dedicated soldiers and would have certainly supported the current state of patriotism. Would this be considered a slight to those who had served? from, Mike
There is nothing saying that you can not
fly this flag! (Most people just assume they are not.)
I think this would be a wonderful time to display it.
Some considerations:
Is it an all weather flag (check the material)
Second, how would you feel if it got soiled or torn?
I have suggested before that one alternative would be to hang it inside a
picture window. This way the public could see it, and you would also
be preserving it. You could then even put a framed picture of your
deceased veteran nearby to honor them.
I am head of security in Ivoryton CT. It is my responsibility to care for the American Flag. I know the proper procedure for folding the flag with two people, but I do not know the proper Etiquette/Procedure for folding the American Flag alone. from, SGT. K. Smith
When taking down the flag alone, drape the end of the flag over your left shoulder as you disconnect it from the halyard - pole. After down, bring it inside on place on a clean table top, where you can then fold it into the proper triangle.
My question has to do with lyrics I keep running threw my thoughts...where exactly does three cheers for the red, white and blue fit in "the stars and stripes forever"? or is it only a tie in that over the years made in way into peoples hearts?......from, Jes�s V. Sim�n
O' Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean,
T. Becket, David T. Shaw, 1843
(Last verse)
May the service, united, ne'er sever,
But hold to their colors so true;
The army and navy forever,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
Three cheers for the red, white and blue,
The army and navy forever.
Three cheers for the red, white and blue.
Is it ok to illuminate the flag with a colored light? My neighbor complained that the white light I had shining on the flag was also shining in his bedroom window. I changed the light bulb to a red one. However, I am uncomfortable doing this. from Lorraine
Try an amber spot light - this would keep the colors true, and be less glary. The main element is to have the flag at night be visible from a reasonable distance (approx. 100-200 feet.)
Help!! I'm trying to get the lowdown on the proper way to wear "American Flag" patches on left and/or right shoulders of security and police officer uniforms. This is in relation to the field of stars. from, Fred walker
As you view the sleeve (observer) the stars/union would be in the upper left hand corner. Worn on the right sleeve. Centered directly below the shoulder seam. (This is the way Boy Scouts wear the emblem.) Note: There is no law regarding the positioning of the flag patch on uniforms. Since the law does not specifically address the positioning of the patch, a decision is left to the discretion of the organization prescribing the wear. The US Military has frequently changed the types and positioning of patches/badges it has authorized and approved specific locations for each. Currently on the Army uniform, the flag emblem is on the right sleeve with the field of blue in the upper right corner, sometimes along with the left sleeve as well (this one would have the union in the upper left corner.)
After the 11 Sep 2001 tragedy I noticed a lot of people
posting flags on their automobiles; mostly on rods made to attach to the
top of a window, which, when rolled up, held it securely. Is it
proper for ordinary citizens to
post the flag this way? Some, of course, taped them to
radio antennas. I'm guessing this is not appropriate and is only used for
certain high ranking government officials and/or military officers of high
rank, such as General. from, Jess Dixon, Bakersfield, CA
Per the Flag Code: Title 4, United States
Code, Chapter 1
7 (b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a
vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a
motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the
right fender.
(A few readers have written in that they are offended by this practice - as the flag is viciously torn from the wind, and not illuminated at night, thus being disrespectful.)
On the news yesterday was President Bush leaving New York via Marine One. I'm curious as to why the American Flag on Marine One & the accompanying aircraft has the stars on the right corner instead of the left corner. The view was from the right side of both aircrafts. Thanks, Robin D'Angelo
The flag is placed like it would look if
it were allowed to wave and the plane was moving forward. (So on the other
side it looks "normal.") - So the stripes will always be
toward the back of the aircraft.
MRS LYNN GAMMA
Archivist of the Air Force
Air Force Historical Research Agency
How do you properly tie a flag from a slanting pole mounted on a house? The way mine is tied, one breeze and it wraps around the pole. I've seen others that just spin around and don't wrap around. Do you know what I've done wrong? Any help would be appreciated! from Audre
Well where you have your eagle or other decoration at the tip, you should have a loose ring. (A large washer etc.) Then the flag is tied to this. When the wind blows, it will twirl the flag around the pole with out tangling it.
Can one flag be cut to mend another flag? The
right hand edge of both are torn from being whipped in the wind.
Could one cut one flag and sew a portion to the other so a flag would
not be tattered? Perhaps a flat felled seam about two or three inches
from the outside of the flag would be inconspicuous. from Dale
I would advise simply sewing the tattered end. Make a new hem or darn
the holes. We have some very large flags that we fly at Fort Mackinac
in the summer. There are a few that we must re-sew after each use
because of wind damage.
Your other option would be to simply buy a new flag. Try to get one
that is heavier in weight and has reinforced seams.
We are receiving a new flag from the white house-my question is what is the proper procedure in taking the old flag down and putting the new one up. Any suggestions on a ceremony-we are a small little town. Thank you for any help. from Mary
I have added this to my Ceremony Section. (Flag Replacement Ceremony)
I have had several questions regarding, how to fly a flag
at half-mast.
If you have a tall flag pole:
When flying half-staff, raise to the top of the staff then lowered to half
(if this is the first time you are doing this, step back and view it from
father away to make sure it is positioned approx. half-way on the pole.
Another consideration is that you do not want the flag to touch anything
while it is flying -- so make sure when lowered it is not going to strike
trees, branches, buildings etc.) Make sure the halyard (rope)
is tied tightly and securely! (The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the
day.)
*If you have more than one flag pole say with a state flag, company flag etc. All flags should be flown at half-mast. No flag ever flies higher than the United States of America Flag!
Multiple Country Flags - The flags
of other nations should not be flown at half mast (unless they too have
declared national mourning) and should not be flown at full mast alongside
flags at half mast and so should be removed. Here is another basic
rule: NEVER FLY ONE NATIONAL FLAG OVER ANOTHER ON THE SAME POLE. This
indicates a military victory of one nation over another!
If the flag pole is projecting from the side of a building, the flag should
be hoisted to the peak, then lowered until the top edge of the flag is one
flag-breadth below the peak. Before being lowered, it should be
hoisted momentarily to the peak. (This is for a long angled pole with
a halyard.)
If you have a typical angled house flag on a short pole you would hang it
as usual. An alternative to symbolic mourning can be done by tying a
piece of black crepe to the top of the pole. Or another object close
by. (I would use all weather ribbon.)
If the flag were displayed flat against a wall, it would be in order to
hang such a crepe cravat from the upper staff corner of the flag, or to
drape the cravat so that the ends hung down on either side. In the
latter case, the cravat should pass behind the flag, not across it.
If you decide to leave the flag out all night -- make sure it is properly illuminated, and that it is an all-weather flag.
We are a USDA office complex which is privately owned. Recently the owner's son was killed in a car accident. Can the flag be flown at half mast in honor of the one who died? from Beth
Technically, the only persons for which a flag is flown
half-staff, like you mention are upon the death of the president or other notable
government figures. It is flown 1/2 staff from the time of the death
until the burial.
However, my personal opinion, is such that if the individual, is widely
known in the community, I would fly it 1/2 staff. As others pass the
flag, they will know why it is flown that way, and remember them and their
family.
Hi, I was wondering if there is a proper way to display the flag from a house (with angled pole)? Is it displayed from the right side or left (if you are looking at a house from the street)? from Tahiti Max
I guess I'm not quite sure what you mean. Assuming
you mean a short standard flag pole that comes from a mount on a building
-- The Union would be towards the top of the pole. If you have a
choice of mounting it right or left of say a porch post, it would be your
preference if it went right or left. The most common way, is from the
'audience view' would be to the left. (Note: When hung
extending from a building to a pole, the union stars are always away from
the building.)
Why is the flag half down, sometimes? from Shelli
K.
This is called 'half-staff'. When flying
half-staff, raise it to the top of the staff then lower to half, the height
of the pole. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is
lowered for the day.
Last Monday in May - Memorial Day (the flag is displayed at half-staff
until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.)
*By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the
death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor
of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.
In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the
flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential
instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or
practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present
or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession
of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession
may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag
shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or
a former President; ten days from the day of death of the Vice President,
the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the
Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until
interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an
executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor
of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the
following day for a Member of Congress.
In my city, the city offices will fly their flag at half-staff for the
death of a police or fire person killed on duty. Also, schools will
sometimes fly at half-staff out of respect for the death of a student or
teacher.
Would like to know in what year our flag had 24 stars in it? from Bob & Pat Wilson
The 24 Star Flag was made in 1822, after Missouri was
admitted into the Union.
State Year of Statehood
Delaware 1787
Pennsylvania 1787
New Jersey 1787
Georgia 1788
Connecticut 1788
Massachusetts 1788
Maryland 1788
South Carolina 1788
New Hampshire 1788
Virginia 1788
New York 1788
North Carolina 1789
Rhode Island 1790
Vermont 1791
Kentucky 1792
Tennessee 1796
Ohio 1803
Louisiana 1812
Indiana 1816
Mississippi 1817
Illinois 1818
Alabama 1819
Maine 1820
Missouri 1821
The next state to be added was Arkansas in 1836, as the 25th state.
Did the United States Flag's Stars ever have 6 points
opposed to five points
if so when did they change from six points to five? from Janice
Mayes-Clayton
The Guiford Flag, The Serapis Flag, The Washington
Flag, and the Battle of Bennington Flag all had six pointed stars.
These were all Revolutionary Flags. The official USA flags have never
used a six pointed star.
See this web link for more information:
http://www.dave-ruffino.com/flags/national/USA_flags.html
You have the flags of the states, but you are missing the one for the
District of Columbia. [3 red stars, 2 red stripes, and (I guess) one white
stripe]. The interesting thing is, I have NEVER been able to find out
what the symbology meant...Not even my congressman knew when I asked him.
from Robert Moorefield
While my site doesn't really get into State Flags too
much, but your question peaked my interest. This is what I found:
http://www.fotw.net/flags/us-dc.html#desc
Description of the Flag
The Flag of the District of Columbia, (Washington, DC, USA) consisting of a
white field with two red stripes, and having three red stars in the center,
was adopted in 1938. It was designed by Arthur DuBoise, the chief of the U.
S. Army Institute of Heraldry and is based upon the family coat-of-arms of
George Washington. No changes have been made to this 60-year old design.
It remains a federal district, separate from the 50 states, just as it was
when it was established in the late 1700's. (About 40 square miles were
given back to the State of Virginia in the 1840's because they thought that
there would never be enough bureaucrats to fill the original 100 square
miles. Boy were they wrong!) The District has obtained a certain amount of
"home rule" since the 1960's which means that the citizens may
elect a Mayor and a City Council, however they have no voting
representative in the U.S. Congress.
Nick Artimovich, 20 January 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Washington's arms were two horizontal bars on a white field, with
three red mullets (5-pointed spur rowels) in the chief. The design is seen
on the side of DC official vehicles, on the license plates, etc, and was
adopted as the flag of Washington, DC, in 1938. (Ironically, one of the
largest examples of this flag flies on Pennsylvania Avenue and is incorrect
in that the bottom "white stripe" is missing!) In the 19th
century there was a belief that these design elements of G. Washington's
arms were the direct antecedent of the U.S. flag. If that were true, then
the US flag should be called the "Bars and Mullets" not the
"Stars and Stripes." (-:
Technically, the mullets should have holes in the center where they spun on
the spur, however I think heraldry has deleted the holes as unnecessary.
This means that mullets end up looking exactly like five-pointed stars,
which is why folks made the connection between George Washington's arms and
the US flag.
Nick Artimovich, 23 January 1997
Capital: It is the capital, of the United States.
Population: 598,000.
Mayor: Anthony Williams (to January 2003). (D).
Entered the Union: February 21, 1871 (as a municipal corporation).
Motto: Justitia omnibus (Justice to all).
Flower: American Beauty rose.
Bird: Wood Thrush.
Origin of Name: The district is named after Christopher Columbus.
Washington D.C.'s official tree is the Scarlet oak.
The District of Columbia is divided into four quadrants--Northwest,
Southwest, Northeast, and Southeast--and the U.S. Capitol building marks
the spot where all four meet..
Washington D.C. was the first carefully planned capital in the world.
The capital of the U.S. was transferred from Philadelphia to Washington on
Dec. 1, 1800..
In 1978, a proposed constitutional amendment to give the District of
Columbia voting representation in the U.S. Congress was passed by Congress;
the proposal died in 1985, having failed to get the needed 28 states to
approve it.
Is there a reason that when the flag is folded no red or white stripes
should show? from Dennis
I
haven't found this one yet -- does anyone else know? ( email me at [email protected])
The number of folds of the flag is a pure mathematical consequence of using
a flag size of 5x8 or 3x5. Take the width for each of these flags and
divide by 2 (for the first length-wise fold), then divide it again by 2 (for
the second length-wise fold). This gives you 0.75 (for the 3x5 flag) and
1.25 (for the 5x8 flag). Now multiply by 7 and you get 5.25 and 8.75. This
works out even better if you use the "official" flag size-ratio of 10:19.
Hope that helps.
-Tom M.
As an Army and Navy custom, the flag is lowered
daily at the last note of retreat. Special care should be taken that no
part of the flag touches the ground. The Flag is then carefully folded into
the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial
soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white
stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes
into the darkness of night. (The saying is not to let the flag
'bleed', and therefore no red should be showing when folded properly.)
Good job, but I am still curious as to who decided on the shape and the 13 folds. Who was that person, the inventor of the 13 folds? from Colonel Brown
I haven't found this one yet -- does anyone else know? (email me at [email protected])
How can I display a special flag with a certificate? from unknown
My suggestion would be to have the flag folded in a triangle and mount it in a 'shadow box' frame with the certificate. Most craft or framing stores can do this for you.
When at camp, should girls remove their hats/caps along with the boys during the Pledge of Allegiance?
from unknown
Yes, they should. I suggest that you note that while in uniform, such as Girl or Boy Scouts, or other uniformed "hat-wearing" organizations", it is unnecessary (and usually wrong) to remove the hat, as it is part of the uniform.
additional comment from, R.F. of Florida
If you have a question, email me at [email protected]
