BTK, Well said !!!!! My flag will, as always, fly 24/7 as long as I live. As far as the next generation is concerned, it is up to us to set an example. I have five adult children all with their own homes and they all fly our American flag. Some things in this life are important no matter the bother or the cost. Thousands of Americans paid the ultimate price. My family and I fly our flags in their honor. Not just on Holidays, every single day.

You seem to be implying that there is something wrong if you don't fly the flag. I disagree. Americans are a divisive bunch, fanatical bunch, whether it be issues of politics, nationalism, race, etc. I think it is great if people fly the flag for patriotic reasons. They love their country and they want to express that. But just because you don't fly the flag doesn't mean you don't love your country. That's false logic. Flags are just symbols. I see no reason to "worship" the flag.

After 9/11, many of us flew the flag or displayed flag symbols in our car, etc., to display our love of country and express our solidarity with victims of the 9/11 attack. It was an emotional, inspirational response. Once 9/11 passed, we went back to everyday life. We love our country and we express that in our everyday actions by being involved and informed politically, doing charity work to help our fellow citizens, and so on. Flying a flag is well and good, but it is just a symbol. In my opinion the real patriotism is the act of being a good citizen. I don't feel the need to wave a flag to show I'm a patriotic American.

I agree. It is kind of like people who go to worship every weekend but are dirtbags in real life. Kind of meaningless if your actions don't speak louder than your symbols.

I agree with Russ. I see no need to prove that I'm a patriotic American.

Just a Symbol???? Sorry but I feel very differently about our flag. As I said before, I do not fly it so that other people can think of me as a Patriot. I fly it for all the Americans that can no longer see it. Like those brave soldiers at Arlington National Cemetary and other burial places here in America and in Europe and around the world. I fly it to show respect for all that are gone or M.I.A. I especially fly it for myself, so I will never forget the sacrifices made for us by so many. But, like all things American (Thank God) We can all choose how we give thanks and to mourn. Im my generation we were always taught to salute and to honor our flag. We did it at home, at school and during our military service. I believe those were good things, compared to what goes on today. 9/11 was a very sad day but, 9/12 we all came together. We should keep that spirit alive.

Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!!!!!

Question about the lighting
 

I have done stained glass pieces for people that have an american eagle with a flag waving in the backround. Should it also always be lighted?

I worship every Sunday. My wife, daughter and I started a food pantry 15 years ago which is busier now than ever. I perform in a nursing home every Friday. Am I a dirtbag?
How about those who work tirelessly beside me? Our work is endless and we do it with no expectation of thanks or reward.
I served in the U.S. Army in the most thankless conflict of our history. I surely didn't want to go but knew it was my duty. Complain? Sure I did, but I never even thought of ducking my duty. To this day I still serve, helping out in veterans hospitals and working through my American Legion Post to help my fellow beings, veterans or not.
Does that make people like me dirt bags and hypocrites? If so, I think we could use a few more like us. No, we can use a lot more like us.
It's easy to sit on the sidelines and criticize. How about showing your patriotism by helping those who actually did something for the country you call home.
How about actually working with those in need, without thanks or pay before you call those of us who do dirtbags.
Yes, I fly my U.S. flag. Illuminated, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. With pride.

Flag Store
 

Update--The Flag Store has moved from CR 25 across from Lady Lake Post Office to new space on 27/441 in Lady Lake, the former Medicine Chest location.

God Bless America

I think you need to read my quote before you question it. I said it is LIKE those those worship on the weekend but are dirtbags in life. OBVIOUSLY not all (I'm sure not most) are dirtbags. Jeez - read the post.

No one, especially not me, is saying that you can't fly the flag if you want to or that you can't worship if you want to. But don't insinuate that those that don't aren't either patriotic or spiritual. I'm just saying that you don't need the symbols to be either/both.

But please, everyone, read and re-read a post before you criticize the content.

FWIW I understood what you were saying.

Thank you - I know that most do get it but...

I will restate my original post in an easier to understand manner.

In my humble opinion:

Flying the flag doesn't make you patriotic. Not flying the flag doesn't make you unpatriotic.

Going to church/worship doesn't make you spiritual. Not going to church/worship doesn't make you non-spiritual.

flying flag
 

Russ, sooooo true....

Flying the Flag on 9/11
 

The flag should be flown at half staff on 9/11 (Patriot's day) For those of you with the flag pole on the side of the house that means that the flag should be in the slot that puts it on a perpendicular with the ground - not on the diagonal to the house.

This was mentioned in the Daily Sun in a letter to the editor the other day.

What? You don't believe that auto dealerships are home to the greatest patriots in the U.S?