Flag Etiquette? Yeah, it Matters.

Proper treatment of the American flag? That topic seems so, well, old-fashioned in our trendy, jaded age.

One of my favorite lines from the best movie of this summer, The Avengers, comes to mind: When Captain America wonders aloud to S.H.I.E.L.D Agent Phil Coulson if his “red- white and Blue” togs aren’t a bit too “old fashioned” for the modern age, Coulsen replies reflectively, (I’m quoting from memory here): “Maybe we could use a little ‘old-fashioned’ nowadays.”

Hey, if a guy can’t respect what seem like little things, what’s to keep him from dishonoring the bigger things? Lack of dignity and decorum in what we deem dispensable matters can quickly morph into reflexive disrespect toward everything.

Yeah, our flag represents some pretty precious truths: inspiring history, high ideals and blood shed and sacrifices made to protect those ideals.

Dave Jolly ponders why that piece of tri-colored fabric deserves the proper treatment it, too often, is no longer receiving:

When I was in grade school, I was taught proper flag etiquette. Among the rules that dealt with the American flag was one that I was told was among the most important and that was to NEVER let the flag touch the ground. I remember an older boy in our school that was getting ready to raise the flag at the school one morning and when he unfolded the flag, part of it unfurled and touched the ground. The boy was severely reprimanded and had to serve detention.

In boy scouts, we were again taught proper flag etiquette. We were taught how to fold the flag, how to properly raise and lower the flag, when to fly it half-staff, how to properly destroy a damaged flag and to NEVER allow the flag to touch the ground. On windy days, as many as six scouts would work together to raise and lower the flag to prevent it from touching the ground.

My dad served in the U.S. Navy from 1940 to 1946. He served on board the A.K.A. Fomalhaut. The first part of World War II, the ship was the Navy’s largest cargo ship. In early 1943 it was converted to an ammunition ship. When fully loaded, they held enough ammunition to take out any ship within several miles of them if they took a hit. Dad told me that respect for the flag on board ship was very important and that no matter what the conditions were, the flag was never allowed to touch the deck of the ship. To do so was punishable by time in the brig and possible loss of rank [...]

reggiec

The explanation is several generations of public education where: Some teachers refuse to allow the pledge of allegance, Athiests bring suit to remove “under God” from the pledge, and patriotism is denegrated. It might be interesting to find out where the athlete went to school.
- disgusted demacrat
  
  He must gone to school in da hood bro!!
R. Stapleton USMC 1952/1955

Even some of our military units display horrible respect for our Stars and Stripes. The military sky diveing teams at sporting events (like NASCAR races). The last jumper displays a large American Flag which hangs below his feet and hits the ground before he does.. How disgusting!!
http://twitter.com/jude83268949 jude

You can blame the 21st century parents for not teaching respect for the American flag, that went out of style with prayers in school, respect for teachers, and respect for other peoples property, respect for themselves, respect for our police, etc etc.
- Athena
  
  I agree, when I went to school in the 60′s..way different then when my children went to school in the 80′s. They were not allowed to bring Homework home on Fridays and weekends, because too many of them had activities and jobs. This was in middle school, not high school. And of course, high school was the same. I always had extra homework on the weekends…3 days to do it..
warriormendotcom

Steve, I’m glad you raised this point. While I appreciated the efforts of our Olympians, I found it bothered me when an athlete wrapped themselves in the flag or when it touched the ground. While I don’t think anyone was making a political statement or purposefully trying to be disrespectful, I don’t think it would hurt if the U.S. Olympic committee had a brief training on proper decorum and treatment of our symbol.