Flag Faux Pas

I have kind of a strange pet peeve: improper American flag use.

I think it all stems from my sixth grade 'safety patrol' days. One week a month my partner and I were in charge of putting up and taking down the flag every day. At the very beginning of the year, we had a special training about how to fold the flag, how to put it up without letting it touch the ground, the proper way to fly it half mast, etc. I even remember going out in the rain to take the flag down so that it wouldn't get all wet. I also remember having flag ceremonies in Girl Scout meetings and making sure the the American flag came first, stood taller, and was placed in the proper position.

To me, it just makes sense. Respecting the flag=patriotic.

I've been seeing quite a few flags lately that look like this

United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 says that flags should:

• be taken down at sunset unless properly illuminated
• should not be left up in bad weather (unless it is an all-weather 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
• should be disposed of properly when no longer a fitting emblem for display
  
  

There are a whole bunch of other stipulations as well. For example, the flag:

• should never be used for advertising purposes
• should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery
• 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

The list goes on, but I think what it really comes down to is be respectful! Don't fly an old, ripped flag. Remember what the flag stands for and treat it accordingly. Above all else, don't blow your nose on it.