Flag Down

[VaughnCat]

Something happened yesterday (Memorial Day) that really bothered me .....

After a wonderful ryde over the hill to Happy Camp, then East to Yreka and back home up I-5, Vaughn and I parked the Spyder in front of the local grocery story to pick up a couple things when we first noticed it..... Old Glory laying there on the ground.

Since it was Memorial Day, we suspected the flag might have blown down from where it had been on display in front of the store. However, we couldn't find a spot to position it where it wouldn't fall over again, so we carried it into the store and saw a clerk, a young lady probably 19 or 20, doing some stocking so we walked over and told her that we had found the flag laying on the ground in front of the store. Well, she took it from us and tossed it on the floor behind where she was stocking.

I couldn't believe my eyes, so I picked it up again, and said "Hey, that is the point . . . our flag should never be down on the ground." "Oh" she said "I didn't know that."

That really bothered me.... does that bother you?

 

[dltang]

When I was in school, I could have sworn that I was taught that the flag NEVER touches the ground and if it did, that is when it is burned. Correct me here if I am wrong. Well, I just looked it up and here are the actual flag facts:

The Fact
To be clear, here is the text from the United States Flag Code in Title 4; Chapter1; Section 8(b):

(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the
ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.

This part of the code is in the “Respect the Flag” section and clearly indicates the carefulness someone should take in displaying the flag with particular attention paid to the surroundings. If the flag touches any of the mentioned items, it should be resolved quickly.

The Confusion
I think the confusion comes from Section 8(k), where the code indicates;

(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.

This is a clear reference to the physical condition of the flag, and indeed, a tattered or worn and faded flag should never be flown, out of respect. This section clearly states that when the flag is in “such condition” which is never fully defined in the code, but the US flag code never indicates this policy for a flag inadvertently touching the ground.

Always fly the flag with respect and when necessary, dispose of the flag in a dignified manner.

 

[gjco]

you should have took it to the store manger. But if its anything like here you would have need a translator.

 

[boborgera]

Something happened yesterday (Memorial Day) that really bothered me .....



I couldn't believe my eyes, so I picked it up again, and said "Hey, that is the point . . . our flag should never be down on the ground." "Oh" she said "I didn't know that."

That really bothered me.... does that bother you?

:agree:
It bothers me, But it doesn't surprise me. Respect hasn't been taught to kids for quite sometime now. It's the give me generation now, They don't have pride in their jobs and the way they act. I shouldn't say this but the lack of respect came about when the Viet Nam war dragged on into the 70's. My opinion, that's when Schools and Younger parents stopped teaching respect.

 

[grumpybob]

It bothers me alot!! I try to stay calm now, but I probably would have taken the flag, she might have needed to have the pole removed.

 

[bruceofthebronx]

Bother me?

Something happened yesterday (Memorial Day) that really bothered me .....

After a wonderful ryde over the hill to Happy Camp, then East to Yreka and back home up I-5, Vaughn and I parked the Spyder in front of the local grocery story to pick up a couple things when we first noticed it..... Old Glory laying there on the ground.

Since it was Memorial Day, we suspected the flag might have blown down from where it had been on display in front of the store. However, we couldn't find a spot to position it where it wouldn't fall over again, so we carried it into the store and saw a clerk, a young lady probably 19 or 20, doing some stocking so we walked over and told her that we had found the flag laying on the ground in front of the store. Well, she took it from us and tossed it on the floor behind where she was stocking.

I couldn't believe my eyes, so I picked it up again, and said "Hey, that is the point . . . our flag should never be down on the ground." "Oh" she said "I didn't know that."

That really bothered me.... does that bother you?

Does she know we have kids her age dying to honoe that flag? Shop somewhere else.

 

[DynamoBT]

It bothers me a lot, but I'm not surprised. We said the Pledge, and sang Patriotic songs in school during my entire public education. I don't think it's that way any more. Kids don't know what the flag means.

Heck, it even bothers me to watch how althetes treat the flag in the Olympics. The American flag is not a shawl.

So while I am bothered by your experience, I am not surprised.

 

[Blue Star]

I am very upset about this, but like others not surprised. Heck, kids can't even say the pledge of Allegiance in school anymore. We had a local store that flew a really worn flag. It was more like ribbons than a flag. A friend (who has a son in the Army) complained about it. They claimed that it was the property owners responsibility and could not do anything about it. Well she contacted the newspaper, and carried signs in front of the store to show them she was not happy. After they had lost several customers (people would walk in and tell them they will not buy from them because of the flags condition) the property management replaced the flag. She was there when they did it, and gave her the flag, and she had a Boy Scout troop take care of it.

 

[Roadkill]

+When I see a flag on the ground, I always stop and make it right, whether it be by re-erecting it or educating its displayer.

It highly p!sses me off when it's disrespected intentionally.

Ride on.
Roadkill

 

[Smylinacha]

Doesn't surprise me one bit although it maddens me. Many kids are brought up all f'd up nowadays. Piss poor parenting. Yep, it's the gimmie generation. So many have no freakin clue whatsoever. Wait till they are adults - a damn shame.

 

[vt228]

on cape cod mass ...

I was out on my spyder with my wife Sue and saw a flag hanging from a house I pulled over and stoped tryed to fix it its hanger was no good so I rolled it up went to the store and bought a hanger unscrewed the old one and put new one up the old man and his wife came out yelled what the BUCK are you doing to my house fixing it sir then he thanked me as I put old glory back up waveing in the air his wife kissed me and gave us Ice tea we where there for 4hrs then we left with flag waveing behind us on my back rest.I too well never let iot hit the ground never ...Ower love one's are fighting for us all and I lost my cusen James raymond last year and He did 5 turs in IRAC god bless all of you be safe ,,,,Don VT228 ray: please please save them from harm,,,,Amen

 

[scudrunner]

Not surprised, as was mentioned earlier, no respect. For anything or anyone. And don't care.

 

[Firefly]

Most have no idea what the flag code is. Wearing flag shirts, etc. is very common today--- even though it's against the code.

The really sad thing is the flag in question was probably made in China.nojoke

 

[RoadHammer]

heard many reports a few minutes ago of widespread flag burning etc in many states over the weekend. A very sad time if i must say...

 

[IWN2RYD]

Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Anger me... Heck yes! Surprise me? Heck no.

Prayer? GONE... Flag education? GONE...

Proper clothing attire in the school? GONE...

Give me a good book, a strong arm and a lot of old school way of teaching (But current to today's world) and this issue would go away...

Heck, in Washington state they now allow those that believe in hiding the "Woman's" face do to religion or what have you... Can get their drivers license with their face completely covered!!!

Now explain to me just how a sales person can confirm the person buying the gun or even alcohol is the one on the drivers license (extreme I know but still a good point)?

IMHO... Our country has gone to far into the politically correct world and has lost a grip with the ethics and morals that built it.

Sorry... It really chaps me when I see our fallen be disrespected in such fashion...

P.S. I deleted a lot of what I wrote because it became to political and not needed in this forum. My family tree is filled with sacrifices for our Country, and my family reared me correctly. God first then family with the education of the realities we have as American Citizen. Oh man.. There I go again.. Ok... stopping now!!

 

[moabgirl]

The American Flag

We may all differ politically, but I think we can all agree that our flag is to be treated with respect!

 

[Sarge707]

Maybe she did not know? Poor schooling, dead beat parents, low intelligence? Not trying to make excuses for the young person BUT were not guardian angels that followed her thru her life to date?:dontknow:

 

[IWN2RYD]

Maybe she did not know? Poor schooling, dead beat parents, low intelligence? Not trying to make excuses for the young person BUT were not guardian angels that followed her thru her life to date?:dontknow:

This is most likely the case. :agree: Or... She simply A) forgot B) saved face at the time in order to not create a scene, while quietly in her own mind recognizing what she just did.

My frustration is morphed more from me seeing these types of scenes more often than not. Most folks of 13+ get it once they are reminded or informed of it as it is.

BTW, for the life of me I cannot figure out how to wear my pants halfway down my calves and still be able to run. Any tips? :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Desert Spyder]

Most have no idea what the flag code is. Wearing flag shirts, etc. is very common today--- even though it's against the code.

The really sad thing is the flag in question was probably made in China.nojoke

You're not joking there amigo. One day I was shopping in Costco and saw flags for sale. Old Glory looked grand with a beautiful gold eagle on top of the pole.

The bottom of the box said "made in China".

Sad.

 

[Smylinacha]

Heck, in Washington state they now allow those that believe in hiding the "Woman's" face do to religion or what have you... Can get their drivers license with their face completely covered!!!

Now explain to me just how a sales person can confirm the person buying the gun or even alcohol is the one on the drivers license (extreme I know but still a good point)?

Wow - I bet there are a ton of under aged drinking females in Washington State! Wonder how many kids are gonna try that one?!