Flag at half mast

[garynarramore]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?

[DeanFL]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?
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Personally, if I found this very offensive - I would stop by and ask them WHY? Perhaps they lost a relative in the military or LEO. Who knows? They do. Or perhaps they are making 'a statement'. Who knows? they do.

Rather than opening a potential or non issue here, IMO ask the neighbors. IF you don't agree with their answer, then-perhaps open it up here. Just my opinion.
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[EdFNJ]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages? If it offends you have you asked him (nicely) about why? Maybe it is to honor a someone who died in the service and he didn't realize the "rules" regarding not doing that. While there is no "LAW" against doing that it is not proper flag protocol.

[davem4616]

let it be

last thing we need is 'the flag police'...we already have the annoying 'little white cross police'

[Stu from NYC]

Why not ask?

[Art cov]

Please approach your neighbor softly and humbly, we just never know what the person is going through if anything. I have stuck my foot in my mouth in the past and left being very humbled and wished I never said a word. For me lessons learned I hope for no repeats

[roscoguy]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive.

Very offensive, really??? You may be over-reacting just a tad.

[Stu from NYC]

Very offensive, really??? You may be over-reacting just a tad.

Perhaps but a friendly "just wondering about your flag at half mast" can get an answer.

[Ragman]

Isn't the proper term "half staff" on land and "half mast" aboard a ship?

[davem4616]

Isn't the proper term "half staff" on land and "half mast" aboard a ship?

any 'squid' that referred to the mast as a staff would have been hung from the yard-arm by the Chief back in the day....

[Stu from NYC]

any 'squid' that referred to the mast as a staff would have been hung from the yard-arm by the Chief back in the day....

In my navy we would also keel haul him.

[graciegirl]

I am so grateful to be so ignorant that a flag flying at half staff does not offend me.

Having someone be chastised for wearing a "blue lives matter" mask on an airplane offends me.

[Stu from NYC]

I am so grateful to be so ignorant that a flag flying at half staff does not offend me.

Having someone be chastised for wearing a "blue lives matter" mask on an airplane offends me.

Does not offend me at all but makes me wonder.

Besides asking about it is a great way to meet people.

[Dana1963]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?
I am more offended over those printed flags place along the street on various holidays. Many of them wind up laying on the ground

[Stu from NYC]

I am more offended over those printed flags place along the street on various holidays. Many of them wind up laying on the ground

Wind does blow them down. If I see one on the ground while walking will always stop and stick them back into the ground.

[rhood]

Maybe his halyard is too short or his staff is too tall.

[EdFNJ]

Maybe his halyard is too short or his staff is too tall. Hopefully for him it's the latter.

[Stu from NYC]

Hopefully for him it's the latter.

Can a staff be too tall?

[Miguel 1952]

Why not ask?

With all respect, do we need to be in our neighbors business? What harm is this causing?
Why ask?

[camaguey48]

With all respect, do we need to be in our neighbors business? What harm is this causing?
Why ask?
What's offensive about it? There are too many busybodies whose sole purpose is to look for something that offends them. Go out on a limb and meet this person and get to know him. Listen without judging. You might learn something..

What a concept.

[DrBrutyle109]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?

In this beautiful place we live you have time to be concerned about a flag at half mast? My advice....GET A FREAKING HOBBY!

[Neils]

Maybe the mast rope is tangled or broken And the flag will not go all the way up???

[Stu from NYC]

Maybe the mast rope is tangled or broken And the flag will not go all the way up???

And if we ask and this is true perhaps one could help fix the problem.

[tmiller166]

I have been traveling the East Coast in my RV. Many places are flying their flags at half staff. Especially here in New York State where I am now. It is to honor those first responders who are having to deal with Covid. You people really do live in a bubble!

[noslices1]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?

Why don’t you ask him? Maybe he’s lost a son or grandson or grand daughter in the military and he is still mourning their loss.

[Girlcopper]

let it be

last thing we need is 'the flag police'...we already have the annoying 'little white cross police'
Very true. The Villages are wonderful but it is filled with retired, sometimes bored older people who fill their time tailing their neighbors or driving thru neighborhoods just to find something wrong. Get a job or get a hobby but stop spying on everyone

[Denvercane]

And I find your post offensive. What a little person you are to question this on a public board. A guess you think that you are the "flag" police. You need to find a life

[Get real]

Can a staff be too tall?

Anything is better than a limp staff

[chriskean82]

The president, through a presidential proclamation, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff. That’s it.

[giorgio1948]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?
So what exactly bothers you, the flag itself or its being at half mast?

[NotFromAroundHere]

The president, through a presidential proclamation, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff. That’s it.

Those people can order those things done on public property. What one does with one's flag on one's private property is up to one's own discretion.

[donnamaros]

Here in NJ, flags are still at half mast. They have been this way ever since people have died from COVID. Perhaps he is honoring the souls lost to COVID.

[Grill Meister]

The rules for "flag etiquette" are pretty specific and I don't think that they apply to just anyone's passing. But that being said, I would not be offended by your neighbor's actions:
Section 7m of the Flag Code reads:

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.

[mike1946]

I'm a Brit and I once got a very offensive phone call and notes through the door for flying my countries flag on on the rear of my home in the villages it was the Union Jack or as it is sometimes called the Flag of the Union (England/Scotland/Ireland - Wales doesn't count it's a principality not a country)I then confused the hell out of the complainant by flying the English Flag - several people stopped and asked if we were Swiss or a member of a rescue organization !!! Learned a lot about flag etiquette during that time and also a huge amount about lack of knowledge.

[WindyCityzen]

The inverted flag is an approved international Maritime signal of distress. These days it is used by some to reflect a person’s feelings about the state of our union. It’s called free speech.

[MandoMan]

Maybe his halyard is too short or his staff is too tall.

That happens to many of us as we age.

[Mikee1]

Well, just a thought.... If this post causes 3 pages of responses, life must be pretty good here. If this is the major concern of the day all is well... lol

[Stu from NYC]

Anything is better than a limp staff

So very true. Luckily there is a little purple pill for that:bigbow:

[ts12755]

Maybe he has dimensia?

[Marine1974]

Don’t feel bad , myself a veteran asked two starters at a golf course
who are both veterans why the flag
at the course was at half staff for months now and no one knew why .

[skip0358]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?

Did you ever think to ask him why? Perhaps the halyard mechanism is broken or the flag pole is defective and it can't be raised!

[Marine1974]

The flag on one’s own property can be flown,, as you say , anyway they want . Flying the flag at night without a light on it is not following
proper procedure but in your line of thinking is ok because it’s private property. If the owner flew the flag
upside down constantly, would you still consider it ok ?

[Curtisbwp]

Have you asked the man with the flag WHY?

[greenflash245]

print a copy of flag rules and put it in their mailbox

[justjim]

“I don’t like that man, I must get to know him better”. Abraham Lincoln. This may apply here. First, get to know your neighbor and then ask him about his flag. Just a thought.

[kendi]

Curious as to why you find this to be offensive. What’s the big deal?

[newgirl]

I understand it, and respect their choice. This is what America is .

[Ralpha]

Why don’t you ask them why they keep their flag at half mast. Before you condemn them, maybe they have a good good reason why they do it.

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

My question why do you find this offensive. How about talking to your neighbor first before you post here. Stay Safe be nice

[NotFromAroundHere]

The flag on one’s own property can be flown,, as you say , anyway they want . Flying the flag at night without a light on it is not following
proper procedure but in your line of thinking is ok because it’s private property. If the owner flew the flag
upside down constantly, would you still consider it ok ?

Yep. Not my concern.

[PugMom]

Good Lord, someone is offended!! I'm offended too, just not sure @ what yet, will keep you all posted!!! :faint:

[Sherrilee]

It’s totally his choice- he could be honoring the recent police deaths— rioters deaths - or changes in America. I tend to think there are many more things you could be offended by .

[ismatta]

I have a neighbor that keeps a flag on a large vertical pole in their front yard at half mast currently and has done so for many months. I find this very offensive. Is this acceptable in The Villages?
If you are offended, perhaps you should simply be offended, and leave your neighbor alone. He has the same first amendment rights that you do. If my neighbor approached me with being offended by my flag, I would feel bad for them, and invite them to get a life.

[KRM0614]

Why don’t you walk over to the neighbor introduce yourself get to know him then in the course ask him about the flag. You can inquire that it appears someone died or half mast it may be possible the person forgot. It’s your approach. Didn’t you ever live in a neighborhood before ? This is why I’m fed up with the villages this mentality of get off my lawn, I’m gonna turn you in, I whine and complain ...it’s time to go to normal life ....somewhere else .....sad

[DeanFL]

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...wonder if the OP is simply embarrassed by so many posters saying "Go over and ask".

I hope that's the case and NOT that he did go over and the neighbor....well, you can finish that statement....
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[EdFNJ]

45 posts since the first post in this thread and we scared the hell out of the poor guy and he's never returned (as often seems to be the case) ! In fact, he never logged in again since the exact time he made his post. Now we'll never know the answer or know who he REALLY is. :D

[Stu from NYC]

45 posts since the first post in this thread and we scared the hell out of the poor guy and he's never returned (as often seems to be the case) ! In fact, he never logged in again since the exact time he made his post. Now we'll never know the answer or know who he REALLY is. :D

Where is Dick Tracy when we need him?

[Ladygolfer93]

agree ! They may have just lost a son, grand son, grand daughter, or, they may feel that their country (if from USA) is going in a sad and divided direction. Personally I'd ask if they were next door neighbors, but I'd sure make it clear that unless they were walking on the flag (as in on the ground), or disfiguring it with spray paint or similar, or displaying a torn and tattered flag, I would ignore it, especially if the flag and pole, etc. are kept in good order.... already so much that so many are ruining part of their days with by being so offended, at crosses, at animal statues, at bird feeders, all kinds of things, life is way too short to spend part of each day on such things.

[Ladygolfer93]

So well said ! You see and hear this more and more, is it the virus causing all this "busy body" stuff ? Who has their mask on, who doesn't, who is eating in a restaurant with help NOT wearing masks, who put a small cross in their yard, or has a patch of dead grass from grubs ? Does that couple have a gazing ball in their flower bed ? OMG, I think I saw a house with some folks on the driveway sitting less than 6 feet from each other, guess I should have stopped immediately and measured. Please, if I start down this path with each year of age, someone tap me on the shoulder and remind me I could use the time to pray for someone who greatly needs a miracle, or I could volunteer to help feed the hungry instead of inspecting the homes and yards of my fellow community members, or remind me I could volunteer to pull those weeds in the yard of the ill neighbor instead of complaining. Hate this virus, instead of drawing people closer and more supportive and helpful of each other, there seems to be so much meanness and suspicion being posted ! ?

[Ladygolfer93]

Good Lord, someone is offended!! I'm offended too, just not sure @ what yet, will keep you all posted!!! :faint:

You got that right, quick, find something to be offended about. I think it must be the "virus" that is getting to people, for YEARS you never heard of all these "trolls" and "offended" people. People would do nearly anything for their neighbors and watching, judging, was almost unheard of. When there was one such person/incident, everyone knew, news traveled fast !

[Ladygolfer93]

“I don’t like that man, I must get to know him better”. Abraham Lincoln. This may apply here. First, get to know your neighbor and then ask him about his flag. Just a thought.

Good for you. Your reply of Lincoln's wise advice is such a kind and more human solution than one suggestion. A circumvent ( or call it nasty, superior, me teacher you dumb ?) kind of act such as printing a copy of proper flag etiquette and leaving it (anonymously I am sure) on the door step.... such a loving, kind, and mature gesture that would be !

[twinklesweep]

I would ignore it, since it's none of my business. There is a home I pass daily where the Flag flies on a tall flagpole—daytime (whether sunny or torrential rain) and night (with no lighting), and eventually it will fray and tatter. I know this is improper Flag etiquette, but this too is none of my business....

[Number 10 GI]

The president, through a presidential proclamation, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff. That’s it.

Here is the link for the United States Flag Code.

The US Flag; Position and Manner of Display (http://www.usflag.us/us_flag_code/position_and_manner_of_display.aspx)

In every instance the word "should" is used, not "will" or "shall" in describing how the flag is to be displayed or used. In paragraph (m) the president, state governor, etc., can order the flat to half staff a government facilities but I read nothing that governs private display.