Things I find Important: "Flettiquette"/Flag Etiquette

This is important to me.  Ever since 9/11, my mom and I have been very interested in what we call "Flettiquette."  You got that right: Flag. Etiquette. (Side note: imagine my mom and I driving down the road, screaming, "YOU HAVE BAD FLETIQUETTE!! to those people who have the antenna flags on their cars). And bad Fletiquitte is more common than you think. A lot of people really don't know the proper way to treat/care for the U.S. flag.  Did you know that it's against the law to print the flag on napkins? Betcha didn't.  Now, I know that people aren't consciously disrespecting the flag-- people just don't KNOW.

Like this guy: 











BUT we all know that ignorance of the law is no excuse, so without further ado, I bring you the U.S. Code (aka the LAW) about Flettiquette!

...with my comments/translations in italics.

U.S. Code § 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.

(a) 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. (Translation: know which side is up.)

 

(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. (Or the beer that has spilled to create a small marsh on the floor of your frat house.)

 

(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. (Insert "Freebird" here)

 

(d) 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. (Translation: Your flag cape is wrong.  Your cute flag tube dress is wrong. Cute, but wrong.)

 

(e) 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. (Meaning anywhere in MY apartment).

 

(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling. (Unless you're stranded on an island and are some sort of Tom Hanks castaway man with no other option.  I think that might be ok.)

 

(g) 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. (Don't let your 5-year-old near it with crayons)

 

(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. (No using the flag as a hammock, either)

 

(i) 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. (The Fourth of July would go out of business for this one.)

 

(j) 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. (Learned this from pledging.  See? Sorority life DOES help in the real world!)

 

(k) 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. (Translation: That ratty flag flying from your antenna I was talking about? Donezo.)

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So now you know.  And you'll never wear a flag as a cape while shooting a pistol again.