I apologize if this question has already been asked, but can someone tell me why the flags on the servicemen’s sleeves are backwards?...the blue/star portion of the flag is on the right rather than the left...
So it appears they’re advancing, not retreating.
It’s the direction the flag would be flying if they were moving forward.
From Wiki answers:
To quote USHistory.org, ‘To wear our country’s flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your LEFT sleeve, use a left flag (normal). For patches worn on your RIGHT sleeve, use a “right” or “reversed field” flag.’
This is the right answer, but the wrong reason. The correct reason is that the stars are always placed facing forward, as if the flag is blowing in the wind as the person (or airplane, or car) is moving forward. If you do it otherwise, it can be interpreted as moving backwards, or retreating. Positioning the flag in this way also places the blue field in the position of highest honor, according to heraldic rules.
As I understand it, the blue field on the flag is always supposed to face “forward”...so the flag on their right sleeve is inverted, with the blue field on the right, toward the front of their bodies. You’ll see the same thing if you look on a commercial airliner and they have the American flag in front of the registration near the tail. The blue field is toward the front of the aircraft, regardless of side, so the flags on the right side are reversed with the blue on the right.
I’m not in the military, so there maybe another reason.
}:-)4
The blue field always moves forward. Otherwise the flag would look like it is in retreat. So flags on the right arm will have the field on the right of the stripes.
Because we never retreat. By always moving forward, the flag is always following.