Flag Etiquette.

[AGUNTHER]

I trust the OSR and do not want chit chat type arguments, so I am posting here.. (I guess i'm a pessimist)

When the flag etiquette code refers to "The Flags Right" what does that mean?

I fly two flags in front of my house. One is an American flag and the other is a Gadsden flag.

Looking at them from the street the American flag is on the viewers right and higher than the Gadsden.

I had a gentleman stop and tell me that the flags should have been reversed, so the American Flag would be on the left when viewing them from the street.

I want to do the proper thing, the flag is sacred to my family, and right now I can not rely on my family for advice/ facts.

[JediJesus]

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

Displaying the Flag Outdoors

When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

Doesn't sound like there's a protocol other than "to it's own right" when being displayed with only one other non national flag.

[MT4Runner]

Originally Posted by AGUNTHER

I trust the OSR and do not want chit chat type arguments, so I am posting here.. (I guess i'm a pessimist)

When the flag etiquette code refers to "The Flags Right" what does that mean?

I would assume that means "when the flag is looking at you".

There must be something important in the wording of referring to the flag's perspective instead of to the viewer's perspective.

Good for you for taking the time to ask.

[redpitbull44]

My buddy and I were headed to the range today, saw a small flag just laying in the road. Flipped a bitch and picked it up. I instantly got mad/disgusted/emotional when I looked at it. Tire tracks do not EVER belong on Ol' Glory.

[maxyedor]

Swing by your local Post Office or State/Federal building and see how they display it, most have the Stars and Stripes along with the State flag out front. I can't remember which orientation my local P.O. uses, but I know they have both the US and California flag out front. I want to say the US flag is to the Left as viewed from the street.

This thread reminds me, I'm about due for a fresh Flag, mine is getting a bit faded.

[Scout Dork]

Thanks for flying your flags.
I got my first Gadsden Culpeper flag in 1986. I've recently started hanging historical flags in my barn, just got a Bedford flag.
My next flag.

[rocket flier]

When the United States Flag and any other flag are flown from separate staffs, the National Colors always occupy the position to the RIGHT of any other flag. When the other flag is the colors of another nation of the world, the flag should be of equal size to the U.S. Colors and should be flown at the same height but to the LEFT of the Stars and Stripes.

http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofhe...fb_disp2b.html

I wouldn't raise the other higher than the us or simply put up another flag pole:



Reminds me of the time I found a us flag in a bin pile of the 'last chance' goodwill and had to pay to take it to retire it.

[Chris]

The US flag should be on the left when looking at it.

[busyfixin]

I picked up a 4x6" flag laying in the middle of the jobsite the other day. I cleaned it off a little and have it displayed on my office door. I picked one up out of the center of the highway after I saw it get rolled over in the snowplow furrow. I went back to get it and had all kinds of people honking and flipping me off for being in the road. I pulled it out and shook the snow off. I still have it. I hope at least someone respected what was going on.

I was recehtly considering starting a thread on if you've ever bought a flag and do you still have it or remember retiring it. I wonder how many people think about proper disposal once they are done with it. Esecially the little 4x6" parade style and car window type.

[smurfblue40]

Originally Posted by busyfixin

I was recehtly considering starting a thread on if you've ever bought a flag and do you still have it or remember retiring it. I wonder how many people think about proper disposal once they are done with it.

I have owned several, and retired a few.

Our local Boy Scout troop holds a flag retirement ceremony every year, they have retired a couple of mine. They have a Bagpiper play during the ceremony...

gets my allergies going every time

[loveshackle]

Originally Posted by Chris

The US flag should be on the left when looking at it.

Assuming the flag is positioned for the viewer from the street, the flag is then looking "at" the street and must be on it's own right. This would be your right when you're looking out the window of your house at the "back" of the flag and the left for the person passing in the street.

[AGUNTHER]

Thank you all for your clarifications and insight,

I will be moving the flag to the left (as viewed from the street) and raising its mount so it will fly higher than the Gadsden flag.

As some people mentioned, I also find it infuriating to see flags laying on the side of the road or improperly disposed of. I take mine to the local VFW for retirement and disposal.

This one is retired from use due to age and weathering; however, it is kept for the memories.
Its my Grandfathers(old guy in my first post) that he hung from the face of his office during parades and on holidays.

[Berne]

Originally Posted by smurfblue40

I have owned several, and retired a few.

Our local Boy Scout troop holds a flag retirement ceremony every year, they have retired a couple of mine. They have a Bagpiper play during the ceremony...

gets my allergies going every time

I worked at a Boy Scout summer camp for many years, and we'd do flag retirement ceremonies all the time.


its amazing how much smoke gets in your eyes at those things.




--B

[rocket flier]

Originally Posted by Berne

I worked at a Boy Scout summer camp for many years, and we'd do flag retirement ceremonies all the time.


its amazing how much smoke gets in your eyes at those things.




--B

I'll have to look for the photos of the car dealer flag we retired. That was incredible.