Neighbor Changed My Flag Around!!!

[texastaurusguy]

I'm not big on etiquette - never had much use for it - but there is flag etiquette and anybody who flies one should read up on it. That link Robby posted is very comprehensive, and includes almost more than you would care to know. I think you can find other sources of information that give you a good idea of what is right and wrong, that aren't so wordy.

Flying a tattered flag is something that isn't supposed to be done. You are supposed to arrange to burn it properly, or bury it properly. But coming onto your property and messing with it was definitely wrong.

[ajaxakita]

Well according to the link Robby sent, Rule CRS-5 item (i) says it's being displayed correctly....

[MadKaw]

Can't tell from the photo whether it is backwards or not. A flag hung vertically like that is supposed to have the union to the North or to the East.
The people who said the union is to be to the left are incorrect - that is only for flags hung indoors or against a wall.

So, while I agree that the guy had no business on your property, now you know how to hang it correctly.

ref: - What is the proper way to display the US flag?

Interestingly, the Flag Code does not use the word "tattered"

What it says is: "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." It does not define such condition.
NOTE: The flag that flew over Ft. McHenry - inspiring the composition of The Star Spangled Banner has not been destroyed, yet most people would consider it tattered. Why? Because it is certainly still a fitting emblem for display!

[MadKaw]

One more thought:

Hope Is a Tattered Flag
by Carl Sandberg

Hope is a tattered flag and a dream of time.
Hope is a heartspun word, the rainbow, the shadblow in white
The evening star inviolable over the coal mines,
The shimmer of northern lights across a bitter winter night,
The blue hills beyond the smoke of the steel works,
The birds who go on singing to their mates in peace, war, peace,
The ten-cent crocus bulb blooming in a used-car salesroom,
The horseshoe over the door, the luckpiece in the pocket,
The kiss and the comforting laugh and resolve—
Hope is an echo, hope ties itself yonder, yonder.
The spring grass showing itself where least expected,
The rolling fluff of white clouds on a changeable sky,
The broadcast of strings from Japan, bells from Moscow,
Of the voice of the prime minister of Sweden carried
Across the sea in behalf of a world family of nations
And children singing chorals of the Christ child
And Bach being broadcast from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
And tall skyscrapers practically empty of tenants
And the hands of strong men groping for handholds
And the Salvation Army singing God loves us….

[GunsandNoses]

CRS5-i applies when the flag is hung against a wall, when it is being hung from a pole the stars go away from the pole or house if hung in a flag pole bracket I think it applies to your flat metal rod also unless it is hung against the wall.

The guy should not have come on your property no matter what.

[dbeardslee]

Can't tell from the photo whether it is backwards or not. A flag hung vertically like that is supposed to have the union to the North or to the East.
The people who said the union is to be to the left are incorrect - that is only for flags hung indoors.

So, while I agree that the guy had no business on your property, now you know how to hang it correctly.

ref: - What is the proper way to display the US flag?

When it's hung out over a sidewalk (which seems to be the closest to the way it's displayed) the union is supposed to go away from the building.

[MadKaw]

When it's hung out over a sidewalk (which seems to be the closest to the way it's displayed) the union is supposed to go away from the building.

I understand your point, but I disagree.

[GunsandNoses]

Look at your picture and think of it this way, If you took the rod the flag is mounted on and bent it straight up the flag is upside down.

There are too many rules for this stuff. it is way too complicated.

[Biggz]

OK, I'm a little ticked right now so please excuse my angry typing. I was getting in my car yesterday to go to work and the older "gentleman" drives down the road in a yellow Corvette and pulls into my driveway. He is older and I am assuming a Veteran. He says to me "Hey, I changed your flag around by your mailbox". I said "Why was it backwards?" He said yes. I told him that I will tell my wife because she hung it up and I just kind of laughed it off. Then he had the nerve to say "Well tell your wife to get a new one too, that one is tattered". Then he drove off. At first I laughed about it but then I started to get mad. I don't even know this guy's name!! He comes on my property, changes MY flag and then insults me!! I've never went on HIS property and re-arranged something he had in his yard!!! So, I changed the flag back around to where my wife had it. He could have done this a different way and drove by and said "Hey, FYI, your flag is backwards" and I would have changed it without a problem. DON'T COME ON MY PROPERTY AND CHANGE MY STUFF!!! So then I get a baseball cap in the mail for sponsering the United States Olympics. Check out the way the flag is positioned! The same way my wife hung it!! Thanks for letting me rant.

He shouldn't touch anything on your property period. Just like you said, all he needed to do is let you know. You can then check it out for yourself and if he's right make the correction. It appears that he was wrong. Biggz

[AirForceShooter]

Just one little point.
I don't care who is right or wrong here.

The old guy CARED. He gave a damn.

AFS
another old guy