For All Servicemen & Women

[Xairbusdriver]

As many of you know, there is a US Code that specifies how our Flag should be flown/displayed/respected. There is/was a paragraph that said "Uniformed Servicemen should salute" the flag while Veterans and out-of-uniform servicemen should remove ( non-religious head wear ) and place their right hand over their heart.

There is now an amendment to the Code Title 4 that allows a salute no matter what the serviceman or veteran is wearing.

<Senate Bill 1877>

And here's a great place for answers to many questions about the <use of the US Flag> at the USHistory.org site. You may be inadvertently disrespecting our flag.

[jepinto]

here's More Flag Etiquette

Now, I have a question, what is the proper protocol when the "Star Spangled Banner" is played?  Hand over heart?  Hands held behind one's back?

What about our non US members?  What is proper when your National Anthem is played?

[kimmer]

Thanks for the links. It bugged me at the local parade this year ... the Coast Guard does the honors as the Color Guard and I was the ONLY person in my area who stood up and placed my hand on my heart as the flag went by. The Coast Guard men and women noticed - I got a nod of heads and a smile -- but that tells me they notice that no one else paid any attention.

Jen, here's the info you want - it's at the bottom of this page:  http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

QUOTE

United States Code Title 36 Chapter 3 — National Anthem, Motto, Floral Emblem, and March
§301. National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner

   1. The composition consisting of the words and music known as The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem of the United States of America.

   2. Conduct during playing — During rendition of the national anthem—
         1. when the flag is displayed —
               1. all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart;
               2. men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
               3. individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; and
         2. when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.

[sandbox]

Some Flag History http://www.flags-flags-flags.org.uk/

# The idea of flying flags grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
# Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
# Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted - the idea of flags was born!
# An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
# The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born!
# Emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
# The Romans were the first to use cloth flags - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening flags to the side of a pole soon followed

The colors on the National Flags of the World represent the following:

    * Yellow Flags - a symbol of generosity
    * White Flags - peace and honesty
    * Red Flags- hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
    * Blue Flags - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
    * Green Flags - hope, joy and love and in many cultures have a sacred significance
    * Black Flags - determination and often reflects the ethnic heritage of the people

[Highmac]

QUOTE(jepinto @ Aug 8 2007, 01:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

here's More Flag Etiquette

What about our non US members?  What is proper when your National Anthem is played?

Stand to attention, feet together, arms at sides. I think the military go into detail about thumbs lining up with trouser-leg seams and stuff like that. But then they would, wouldn't they?

Cinemas gave up playing the anthem at the end of the show in late 60s/early 70s (I reckon) because it never stopped the mad rush for the exit. In those days far more people had a 'last bus' to catch to get home.

[jepinto]

Thank you kimmer!  Most bowling tournaments start with the National Anthem, canned music, oftentimes only the music.  I've always stood as Highmac.  Maybe the two years of school in Newfoundland left me with that impression.

I try not to sing, as my voice can closely resemble Siamese cat mating calls.  At one tournament, I was asked to lead the singing; I was the only one who would start singing after the "mechanical voice" was destroyed by lightening the night before-Sweet'ums still doesn't believe it-but I only do the first few lines loud enough for anyone to hear.  Those high notes and my tenor voice cause havoc!

[kimmer]

QUOTE(jepinto @ Aug 8 2007, 05:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you kimmer!

You're welcome.

QUOTE

I try not to sing

Me too, and I'm a mid-high range soprano.  

QUOTE

Those high notes and my tenor voice cause havoc!

Ya gotta learn the harmony. That's what I do at public gatherings. Drives everyone around me crazy. HAHAHA

[Xairbusdriver]

You "guys" think we ought to contact Sen. Inhofe about another modification prohibiting some of us from sings at these events! Maybe we could wear some kind of armband declaring us 'musically challenged!'

[dolphin]

QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Aug 7 2007, 07:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As many of you know, there is a US Code that specifies how our Flag should be flown/displayed/respected. There is/was a paragraph that said "Uniformed Servicemen should salute" the flag while Veterans and out-of-uniform servicemen should remove ( non-religious head wear ) and place their right hand over their heart.

There is now an amendment to the Code Title 4 that allows a salute no matter what the serviceman or veteran is wearing.

I agree with saluting no matter what a serviceman or veteran is wearing

<Senate Bill 1877>

And here's a great place for answers to many questions about the <use of the US Flag> at the USHistory.org site. You may be inadvertently disrespecting our flag.

It irks me when I see an American Flag being flown in a private yard and it is badly tattered or worn and faded. I was about to stop one day and tell the owners to take it down or replace it. I didn't, but the next day they had replaced it with a new flag. I smiled when I drove by!

QUOTE

Jepinto
I try not to sing

Kimmer
Me too, and I'm a mid-high range soprano. biggrin.gif

I am a mid-low range baritone....and you do not want to hear me sing...ever!!!

[bellbram]

Highmac's right about thumbs down the seams of the trousers.  And also, regrettably about the unseemly rush for the exit at cinemas.
'Tis to our shame that we don't pay the same respect to our flag as you folks across the pond.

Rule Brittania??    No longer, I fear.

Where I used to work, on the borders of the City of London, there was a small street called "Little Britain".  Prophetic?

[Steve_J]

QUOTE(dolphin @ Posted Aug 12 2007, 05:47 AM ) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It irks me when I see an American Flag being flown in a private yard and it is badly tattered or worn and faded. I was about to stop one day and tell the owners to take it down or replace it. I didn't, but the next day they had replaced it with a new flag. I smiled when I drove by!

Me too! Another irk is people who fly the flag 24/7 improperly.i.e. The flag should be lit if you fly it after dark. Also, if the flag cannot be lowered to half mast, black ribbon should be attached at the mast head.