[xcaligirl]

Ours are also put in the ground and are didficult to remove them every noght. I guess I should NOT honor our military and just not fly the flags at all! When we lived in CA, we had a flagpole and our flag was flown every day and night ~ & it did have a light on it. Even though our yard is pretty well lit at night, Inqill let my husband know that we need to be politically correct in the future.

[Nucky]

The proper way to handle a flag that I am accustomed to is to bring it to the VFW and turn it over to them when it is getting tattered. My son showed me how to fold the flag properly as I was doing it wrong for years. Putting up a flagpole is one of the first things we do when we move. I will certainly get one that flies at half mast this time and without a doubt it will have proper lighting at night.

[xkeowner]

I would suggest a significant percentage of our neighbors knew at least one person who sacrificed their life for our freedom. With that in mind I offer a suggestion and a comment.

Before moving here, a resident in my neighborhood had a faded, tattered flag displayed. Rather than approach them and possibly embarrassing them I bought a new flag and left it along with disposal instructions for the old flag by their front door. The new flag was soon flying proudly and I hope the old flag was properly disposed of.

With respect to lighting at night, I suggest with the number of street lights and front pole lights we have here in TV it is not that much of a stretch to consider that the small flags our neighbors are displaying to honor our fallen warriors are, in fact, illuminated.

Retired military after 22+ years and DAMN proud to see ALL of the flags displayed.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by Investment Painting Contractors

All the flags I saw were unlit and stuck in the ground by the curb. I will put out my flags on Monday, I think some people think they're holiday decorations.

I tend to disagree....this Community has a large population of Veterans, and a population that grew up in the generation where we were taught what the Flag means. We elect to display our flags for the entire weekend as we believe it helps the meaning of Memorial Day linger. I, like others, line our curb with flags, 3' apart. Our neighbor across the street does the same thing so when you come into our neighborhood you drive between rows of flags. Lots of thanks from our neighbors. While we don't conform to the code, the message is clearly heard.

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by Investment Painting Contractors

Ralphy in my 70 plus yrs I was taught a flag has to be lit if flown after dark. I noticed hundreds of flags in the front of homes last night after dark. Am I wrong or are the hundreds of people who seem to have forgotten proper flag display.

I worked in DC on 911 and drove by a still smouldering Pentagon on my way home later that day. I lived in a high rise in northern Virginia and, after that day, many of us hung the American flag from our balcony railings. I was worried about the lighting and discussed flag etiquette with some of the Pentagon staff (some high ranking) that lived in my building. They all felt it was more important to display the flag and show our support for our country.

[DeanFL]

I consider myself very patriotic and love our country and what it stands for to the utmost. Never in the military but support them +100%. So respect our flag and what it stands for - and tear up thinking of all that so many sacrificed for it for our citizens today.
I had a nice little 3x5" embroidered US flag on the back of our previous golf cart. And days ago, along with almost every neighbor/home on Amherst Way here in Gilchrist, put out the US flags near the curb - hundreds now lining the street in our little community. It looks beautiful and tugs your heart. Every flag I placed had a special meaning in my mind. And I had that image of the WWII Iwa Jima Marines each time I pushed the stick in the earth.

Understand the letter of the law re our flag and how to place and care for it. Do I consider that our efforts to display our flag on Memorial Weekend to be callous and disrespectful? Of course not. Please...

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

I consider myself very patriotic and love our country and what it stands for to the utmost. Never in the military but support them +100%. So respect our flag and what it stands for - and tear up thinking of all that so many sacrificed for it for our citizens today.
I had a nice little 3x5" embroidered US flag on the back of our previous golf cart. And days ago, along with almost every neighbor/home on Amherst Way here in Gilchrist, put out the US flags near the curb - hundreds now lining the street in our little community. It looks beautiful and tugs your heart. Every flag I placed had a special meaning in my mind. And I had that image of the WWII Iwa Jima Marines each time I pushed the stick in the earth.

Understand the letter of the law re our flag and how to place and care for it. Do I consider that our efforts to display our flag on Memorial Weekend to be callous and disrespectful? Of course not. Please...

I agree, let's not get bogged down with the flag rules. if you fly it proudly that's good enough for me. I'd rather see American flags flown incorrectly than not flown at all.

[goodtimesintv]

Yes. The 'the letter of the law' and the 'spirit of the law' should both be considered.

Below is a photo taken from the newspaper here a couple of years ago on Memorial Day or July 4th.

Does anyone really think this display of the flags violates the governmental rules on proper handling/display of the U.S. Flag?

(Proper flag handling is totally ingrained in me since kindergarten thru 12th grade, as we all were taught decisively and served flag duty in the morning and after school. So I'm not saying disrespect should be tolerated.)

And why does anyone want to dig in their heels about being more proper--feeding division among us--when we are honoring those who've died to keep our states a "UNITED" States of America??

[Ecuadog]

Another great Ron Clark photo.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

Yes. The 'the letter of the law' and the 'spirit of the law' should both be considered.

Below is a photo taken from the newspaper here a couple of years ago on Memorial Day or July 4th.

Does anyone really think this display of the flags violates the governmental rules on proper handling/display of the U.S. Flag?

(Proper flag handling is totally ingrained in me since kindergarten thru 12th grade, as we all were taught decisively and served flag duty in the morning and after school. So I'm not saying disrespect should be tolerated.)

And why does anyone want to dig in their heels about being more proper--feeding division among us--when we are honoring those who've died to keep our states a "UNITED" States of America??

I think is was at a 9-11 ceremony at The Villages Fire Dept H.Q. several years ago.(I was there) I agree, there is no disrespect here. And to answer your question, some people try to make themselves look good by trying to make others look bad. IMHO.

[Ecuadog]

I am a one-large-flag, sunrise-to-sunset, by-the-rules kind of guy. You all do it your way. I'll do it mine.

Just no spitting on it or dragging it in the dirt and we'll get along just fine.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by ecuadog

i am a one-large-flag, sunrise-to-sunset, by-the-rules kind of guy. You all do it your way. I'll do it mine.

Just no spitting on it or dragging it in the dirt and we'll get along just fine.

well said

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Ecuadog

I am a one-large-flag, sunrise-to-sunset, by-the-rules kind of guy. You all do it your way. I'll do it mine.

Just no spitting on it or dragging it in the dirt and we'll get along just fine.

I just put our small flags out on Friday and hope they do OK until Monday.

[Livingthedream]

There may be flag "lighting etiquette" that may not always be followed for various reasons, but I believe it's far more important that the flag be flown proudly and in rememberance of those who have served and sacrificed for our country. With or without a light our flag proudly waves 365 days a year! ����