Just curious as to where this country's Patriotism is?? On my street I see only one flag......thats right.....one! Folks can spend hours and days decorating their homes for Christmas but they can't take a moment to honor this country and simply hang a flag in front of their home?! Its shameful!:hs:

I don't feel that flying a flag is a sign of patriotism. I think patriotism is feeling pride in your country, trying to improve your country and abiding by it's laws. Who is more patriotic, they guy who only flies his flag on holidays but cheats on his taxes or the guy who never flies a flag but doesn't cheat on his taxes?
Of course, everybody will have their own opinion on what patriotism is. That's the great thing about this country, you can have an opinion and voice it!
I don't fly a flag, never have. I did spend 20 years of my life in the Marine Corps and paticipated in numerous raisings and lowerings of the colors. That sense of pride never waivered. I don't feel a need to fly the flag at my house but thank those that choose to.
Happy 4th of July!

Check and mate Kevin! I just feel that a little more of a public display of pride given the times we live in might be in order! It just seems that when I was a kid, folks always had flags out and I feel as time has moved forward....these younger generations take things quite a bit for granted!

As far as flying a flag as a sign of patriotism....what else could it mean?

Really got schooled didn't ya Larry? :lama:

Well said Kevin, and thanks for your service.

It's like the debate over Obama not wearing a flag pin, what a crock!

-spence

I love flying my 2 American flags, I find myself staring at them.
After 9/11 I remember thinking how much and how different our streets looked, every day was like the 4th of July.
Bigfish have a great Independence Day!
cb

all year......... except in freezing snow or ice storms

because there's American's out there in battles

dying daily....and it flies to honor them

and those that have fallen before them.

My flag flies everyday..Proudly

What the hell is the difference if we put up the American flag or not ???
Our most likely next president dosen't believe in the flag !
On top of that, close to 1/3 in this country dosen't speak english !

Patriotism?
I sent a buddy of mine who's stuck in Sadr City a bunch of books, some random silly things GOLD BOND AND FOOT POWDER.

Thats patriotism.

Actions speak louder than flags.

Likwid....I was talking about the most simple, basic act....to simply observe by showing the colors...thats all. I was not saying that I am the worlds greatest American or anything......just a simple act. To those who do more, I commend you....I would pat you on the head if I could Likwid.

As far as being "schooled" Spence......I acknowledged Kevins point which is more than most do on here! Usually most act like anyone elses opinion is wrong....when after all....it is an opinion and I respect others opinions.

Just had to rub it in, that's how I enjoy my freedom of speech, to use it :rotflmao:

-spence

Patriotism?
I sent a buddy of mine who's stuck in Sadr City a bunch of books, some random silly things GOLD BOND AND FOOT POWDER.

Thats patriotism.

Actions speak louder than flags.

You're confusing friendship with patriotism but an admirable gesture anyway you look at it.

Patriotism?
I sent a buddy of mine who's stuck in Sadr City a bunch of books, some random silly things GOLD BOND AND FOOT POWDER.

Thats patriotism.

Actions speak louder than flags.

That was very nice of you LIKWID, and I agree with your form of patriotism. And everyone elses.

Thank you Kevin D.

You're confusing friendship with patriotism but an admirable gesture anyway you look at it.

I'd have to agree, but it's still a good act.

We don't fly a proper flag, but do have a US Flag piece of artwork hanging outside next to our front door. Serves the same intent of remembering and respecting our independence, which despite government intrusions into our lives, we still do enjoy.

The other week my neighbor put up a real flag off of his deck. My only comment was if I was going to be picking it up off of the ground every other week like his last flag. I think I got the point across.

-spence

I'm flying my colors today.:buds:

Its kind of funny but probably 90% of the people who fly the flag don't do it properly. Not that I take issue with it, I apprciate that they do fly it, and they are flying it for all the right reasons, but most don't do it right.

How many who fly it take it down every night at Sundown....or have it illuminated with a light if they don't. Thats the proper way.

When we go to camp the boys raise the flag in the morning and lower it at sundown...with a proper ceremony.

i will tell you one thing that does drive me nuts are the people who have the multiple flags on their trucks driving around with them like they are the greatest american hero and the flags are all tattered and torn from them driving around like that.....the flag should never look like that....ever

You're confusing friendship with patriotism but an admirable gesture anyway you look at it.

Money better spent on him and his unit than on a silly flag.
But thats just my opinion.

Flag can be flown around the clock with no illumination during time of war...

Larry, Patriotism was alive and well at the celebration we attended this morning.

Honor guard raising the flag, people pledging allegiance, people singing America the Beautiful ,
and a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the town's church steps.

A meaningful celebration of our freedoms, and honor of the Founding Fathers who put their lives on the line by signing the document.

Money better spent on him and his unit than on a silly flag.
But thats just my opinion.
Silly flag? :hs:

Flag can be flown around the clock with no illumination during time of war...

never heard that one and it isn't specified in the National Flag Code....

United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag

§1. Flag; stripes and stars on

The flag of the United States shall be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag shall be forty-eight stars [Note that sec. 2 which follows provides for additional stars. Today the flag has fifty stars representing the fifty states — Webmaster], white in a blue field

§2. Same; additional stars
On the admission of a new State into the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission

§3. Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation of flag
Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any purpose, any article or substance being an article of merchandise, or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for carrying or transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed, painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark, or distinguish the article or substance on which so placed shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court. The words "flag, standard, colors, or ensign", as used herein, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.

§4. Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. [See Congressional Notes re use of "under God."]

§5. Display and use of flag by civilians; codification of rules and customs; definition
The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America be, and it is hereby, established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States. The flag of the United States for the purpose of this chapter shall be defined according to title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1, Section 1 and Section 2 and Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.

§6. Time and occasions for display
It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on

New Year's Day, January 1
Inauguration Day, January 20
Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, third Monday in January
Lincoln's Birthday, February 12
Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February
Easter Sunday (variable)
Mother's Day, second Sunday in May
Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
Flag Day, June 14
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, first Monday in September
Constitution Day, September 17
Columbus Day, second Monday in October
Navy Day, October 27
Veterans Day, November 11
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day, December 25
and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States
the birthdays of States (date of admission)
and on State holidays.

The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

§7. Position and manner of display
The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
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.
No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations.
The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right.
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.
The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be 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, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 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. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection —
the term "half-staff" means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
the term "executive or military department" means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United States Code; and
the term "Member of Congress" means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union of the flag to the observer's left upon entering. If the building has more than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the east and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east.

§8. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

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.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
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

§9. Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes

§10. Modification of rules and customs by President
Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States of America, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such alteration or additional rule shall be set forth in a proclamation

I wasn't trying to school anyone. BigFish asked for an opinion and I hope my answer came across politely. It is just my opinion. I had the privelege of serving my country and that is what I considered it: a privelege. I now do transition counseling for military members getting ready to leave the service and have to say one thing. While there are plenty of reasons to complain about today's youth I have met some amazing young men and women from all branches of the military.
These are young patriots! I don't care about the political sides of the war, most joined because they felt their country needed them.
I hope everyone had a great 4th and caught some fish!

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

I learned proper flag etiquette from my kids going through Scouts or eles I wouldn't know it .. Most don't know a Flag should only fly at night if it has a light on it . Or a torn and tattered flag should be retired(burnt in ceremony).. Or the flag should never be clothing, underwear,helmets anything but the flag itself .. I just chalk it up to people don't know any better.. Only one that really Erkks me is a hotel in New Hamshire that flys the Canadian Flag higher than the USA.. Not in This Country.. Old Glory should be flying higher than any other flag in its presence..

Or the flag should never be clothing, underwear,helmets anything but the flag itself

http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/fat_america.jpg

ps: courtesy flags are flown higher than the home flag.

Or the flag should never be clothing, underwear,helmets anything but the flag itself ..
If it's printed on a shirt then it's not a flag, it's just flag like.

Now making a shirt from a real flag, that I'd agree is bad :cputin:

There's a line between respect and iconic worship.

-spence

The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.

looks like a flag to me ..

http://www.joeydevilla.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/fat_america.jpg

ps: courtesy flags are flown higher than the home flag.

http://flagspot.net/flags/xf-cour.html


Generally a courtesy ensign is flown from a ship's mast. When the ship is entering or leaving port and flying its own ensign at the mast, the courtesy ensign is flown at a slightly lower level

When the ship is entering or leaving port and flying its own ensign at the mast, the courtesy ensign is flown at a slightly lower level

Or you just take it the eff down.

In this case, nobody really cares that much to actually do it "by the book" and entering port you're supposed to fly the Q flag above the courtesy flag. ;)

7/3 - driving my 4 and 6 yr olds to school, I talked to them about the Declaration of Independence, the colonies, the British, taxation without representation, etc. They were really into it and asked a ton of questions. I am going to love when they take history. I think schools suck at teaching it, they make it boring. No teacher ever told me that the signers of the Declaration where basically signing their death warrant, treason against the king. You can disagree with everything this country does today, but you have to be in awe at the character of those people that drafted that document and their core beliefs.
Larry - I took my flag down years ago when we had some work done on the house, thanks for your reminder to put it back up!
Jim

7/3 - driving my 4 and 6 yr olds to school, I talked to them about the Declaration of Independence, the colonies, the British, taxation without representation, etc. They were really into it and asked a ton of questions. I am going to love when they take history. I think schools suck at teaching it, they make it boring. No teacher ever told me that the signers of the Declaration where basically signing their death warrant, treason against the king.
Jim

Good for you Jim taking on the resposibility of teaching them our history.
They won't learn the whole story in school. :doh:

Today's curriculum is written by a bunch of pseudo-intellectuals who leave out
the character, beliefs, values, bravery and morals of the founding fathers.

For a real education on our history, take them to the Washinton, Jefferson and Lincoln memorials
to see the history and thinking of these men etched in stone.

When in Washinton take them to see the original Declaration of Independence and stop off in Phladelphia
to see the Liberty Bell and the origin of the American Flag.

Enjoy. :)

Took my kids to Washington and Philadelphia 2 years ago on vacation. visited all the monuments and all of the memorials. Wanted them to see it not just from a book.

Here's the Pics if anyone is interested

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripertalk/showthread.php?t=33823

that was great DF, I will definitly take a trip with the family there, my wife has never been, I went on 8th grade trip. And by the way I think the fact that you made the trip answers BF's question, thats where patriotism is.

Don't forget to swing by Walter Reed.

Very nice presentation,TDF.

I found the same feelings as you at all the war memorials,
with Vietnam hitting me the hardest. :(

Congratulations on your son making Eagle Scout. :)

Visit the monuments at night for a totally different experience.

Patriotism is expressed by different people in different ways and means different things to different people. Some view a flag sticker on a car or flag shirt as patriotic when they do nothing else for the country. Some don't put out a flag, yet volunteer at the food bank, the homeless shelter, etc.

For me flying a flag yet throwing your garbage out the car window, always trying to get ahead by ripping people off (even legaly), disrespecting people (even those who look different or w/different beliefs) and institutions and looking out only for yourself is not patriotic. Describing it is sort of like pornography.

Remember all the flags after 911 ? They're all gone.It was a fad.

I've never owned a flag nor do I plan on buying one. I feel the flag is outdated icons no real use other then tradition that most schools don’t even teach the meaning of... I rather take a political stand and support groups to make changes to our country and try to make a better society for us all to live in..

I love my country because it is my home but I don’t respect the slobs running it...

That to me is patriotism trying to improve the place you call home….

Congratulations on your son making Eagle Scout. :)


Hasn't made it yet....hopefully this time next year.

One thing that is very unpatriotic is outing a CIA spy for political reasons. Someone should have a cell reserved next to Jonathon Pollard.

:wall:Huh, you want to know what really displays "patriotism" then go to my mother's house and see the small white flag withn a gold star on it hanging in a window or to her bedroom and see the triangular mahogany box with a neatly folded flag in it and her sons picture next to it. It was the flag that draped his coffin at 19.

That is F*cking patriotism!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That little gold star chokes me up every time I see one. Patriotism and sacrifice of the highest order, Steve. My Grandmother had one on her mantel, along side a photo of a very young bomber pilot.... those gold stars....

That is the ultimate sacrifice Steve,
not only for your brother but your whole family. :(