Flying Flags (Lone Freep action report)

June 7, 2004 | Hiram Robert Wheeler

[HighWheeler]

As I was driving today on business, I noticed more than half of the American flags were still at flying at full staff. So I started jotting down these company’s names as I drove. I had a list of 26 in about 20 minutes. The other sad thing I noticed was how few places are flying Old Glory anymore. Over the weekend, I had put her back up at my house 5 minutes after I had heard Ronald Reagan had died.

So now I had this pile of offender’s names written down, so when I got to a computer at lunchtime, I started looking up and collecting the phone numbers. Then I started dialing up to ask them why they were not flying their flags at half-staff. All were somewhat shocked at the call. Some responses were unbelievable. I will highlight only a few.

First Call:

The first call was to a local city that had flags in a park flying full staff. The city’s operator was very nice and seemed almost embarrassed that the flags were still not lowered. She said she would get right on it and notify the proper people. Sure enough, in less than 45 minutes when I drove by again, the flags were flying properly.

I called one small business and it went like this:

HW: “I drove by your business this morning and I am calling to ask why your flag in front is not flying at half staff.”

Operator: Uh, I don’t know. Is there someone you would like speak with?

HW: Well, the American flag is supposed to be at half-staff.

Operator: “I don’t know why it’s not at half-staff.”

HW: (approaching a Hannity Man-on-the-Street moment) “Do you know why the flags are supposed to be at half staff?”

Operator: “Uhh,….It’s because of …..uhhhh, because the…..Uh…..< quietly> I don’t know.”

HW: “President Reagan died this weekend and it’s the way American honors the death of our Presidents.”

Operator: “I’ll tell them right away, is there anything else?

HW: “No thanks, you have a good day.”

The call to McDonalds:

HW: “I drove by a few of your businesses this morning and I am calling to ask why these stores are not flying the American flags at half staff.”

McD: “Uh, < long pause> There hasn’t been a directive put out.”

HW: “Oh, so are those stores are just out-of-touch?”

McD < half terse and mildly condescending>: “Well I don’t think so.”

HW: “So, they are doing this intentionally.”

McD: < really irritated> “I didn’t say that.”

HW: “Well, it’s one or the other. Either they are out of touch with America, or, if they're not out of touch as you claim, then they're doing it intentionally.”

McD: < much, much softer> “Uh, who are you?”

HW: “I am a customer.”

McD: “Would you like to speak to someone?”

HW: “No. Why don’t you carry the water for me on this one, OK?”

At the end of the day, every single one of the McDonald’s flags I saw were flying at half staff.

-----------------------

Well the others were not as much fun, but obviously none of these businesses were aware of the flag etiquette, but all were aware that Ronald Reagan had died. After I drove home back the same way, I saw almost 100% compliance. Only 2 were still not lowered.

[Victoria Delsoul]

I always thought the flag looked like it was so sad and crying when it was a half staff.

You're so right about that. I feel the same way.

Thanks for your efforts HW, much appreciated.

[shattered]

Thank you for the advice - I will do so.

[Issaquahking]

I went around town Sunday morning and lowered the flags to half mast at various places. I still did today on a service call, it irks me that people have absolutely no flag ettiquette sometimes, so i consider it an education for them. First part of freedom is personal responsibilty - I wish everyone would remember that when they buy a flag.

[FreeHueco]

My flag is at half mast. I put it up on Sunday morning, since I was away from home until after dark on Saturday.

I haven't noticed many flags out there flying incorrectly, but I will try to point out the errors when I see them. Mostly, I was glad to see that the flag in the park near my house was at half-mast along with the state and city flags.

[geopyg]

After 9/11 I went into a KFC (Redmond, WA) that didn't have it's flag and half staff. The kid said it was locked and he couldn't change it. I asked when the manager would be in, and I went down the next day. He said it was "broken". I went over to do it myself, but rope, etc. was inside the pole and locked up. I called the cops to see if their were any laws regarding it. (No)

I also mentioned to the cop that the manager /owner(?) and his wife seemed to be muslim (head scarfs, etc.). The flag never did go to half-mast. I'll tell ya, if I were a muslim after 9/11 the flag would be half-mast ASAP!

I see that they now don't even have a flag.

[Kozak]

My wife has been on this too. Last night we went out to a "Texas RoadHouse" restaurant, and wifey notices flag at full staff. So she mentions it to the hostess. By the time we leave both the Stars and Stripes and the Lone Star are flying at half.

[BushisTheMan]

What about rain?

I saw several flags in the rain. It was my understanding that when it rains, the flag must come down. And unless a light is shown on the flag, the flag must come down at sunset.

True?

[kellynla]

I saw several flags in the rain. It was my understanding that when it rains, the flag must come down. And unless a light is shown on the flag, the flag must come down at sunset. True?

You are absolutely correct!

[kellynla]

Flag Etiquette

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STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

---

Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the availability of this service.

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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.


Raising and Lowering the Flag
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.


Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

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, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.


Parading and Saluting the Flag
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.


The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.


The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

[BushisTheMan]

I still don't see anything about rain/weather but the part about illuminating was there...I missed it before.

Thanks for the information.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you - that was the question I had, too.

[kellynla]

You are correct, if it starts to rain you take the flag down and also at dusk unless the flag is illuminated.

[kellynla]

If you have any more questions about the flag, the American Legion has an excellent website that covers just about any question you might have. Their link is:
http://www.legion.org

[wolficatZ]

Pepperwood got their act together and had theirs lowered I see today. Thanks Pepperwood..better late than never.

[BushisTheMan]

Thanks for the Web site (you made my life easier).

I'll look it up!

[BushisTheMan]

Q: Can the United States flag be displayed on days when the weather is inclement?


A: The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather (nylon or other non-absorbent material) flag is displayed. However, most all flags are made of all weather materials.

[heylady]

I did the same thing at the hospital I work at. There was an open Forum meeting at 7am and I jotted down a little note about the flag and had someone hand it to the head of HR. Kept looking out the window and nobody was doing anything about lowering the flag. Finally at 10am I called HR . Several minutes later the flag was lowered.

[kellynla]

Of course I am old school, I'm still flying the cotton flag...LOL

And out of respect, I wouldn't fly any flag in the rain.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[BushisTheMan]

I agree -- I actually get upset when I see the flag in the rain.

[Groganeer]

Neither does the "Family Fun Center" in Tukwila Washginton.

425-228-7300
Press 7 to get a live body

Or email at
ken@cstukwila.com

I got a snicker and a laugh when I suggested the flag should be lowered out of respect for a great American President.