Something has been bothering me and I think it’s about time I made one of my controversial Facebook statements about it. Somewhere along the line citizens in this country have lost sight of a few things when it comes to flying our flag, respecting that flag and honoring our fallen. Since President Obama has taken office I have noticed more and more Americans, who claim to be conservative, flying the American flag upside down. Personally, I love my country and am thankful for the nearly 3 million dead, wounded or missing that have put their lives on the line to keep that flag flying union side up. As a result, I take offense to anyone, regardless of your political identification, who would desecrate my flag. To clarify that point lets take a look at Title 4 Chapter 1 §8 of the United States Code. §8. Respect for flag No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor. (a)The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. Essentially, unless you have no radio communication and your boat is in danger of sinking or you are an on an American installation overseas surrounded by the enemy and without electronic communications - it is considered blatant desecration of the flag. Those of you claiming to be conservative and flying the flag upside down are committing an act no different than the liberals you condemn for burning it. I’m not alone in my sentiment. To give a little perspective, it was only a couple of years ago when, standing in front of the White House I watched a man fly an American flag upside down on a broken tree branch in protest. As I got closer and he could make out the disgust on my face the man grinned with a sense of accomplishment. What he didn’t see was the group of 4 Marines coming up from behind him. I wonder how accomplished he felt when one of them ripped the branch from his hands and removed the flag while another laid him out across Pennsylvania Avenue. The Secret Service Uniformed Division posted outside the gates were there in seconds to sort things out. From where I was standing I could see the blood dripping from Mr. Disrespectful’s nose and hear one of the Marine’s screaming that they just got back from Afghanistan and he wasn’t about to watch a man desecrate the flag his friends just died for. The triumphant moment in this example? The Secret Service agents, likely themselves have fought to keep that flag flying, nodded in understanding and let the Marines go on their way. While you may or may not agree with those agents choice to let a Marine walk away from an assault charge, I think it’s safe to say the message is clear. For those who fight for it, the American flag is more than a piece of fabric and never a political tool...a sentiment every American should embrace and in the case that you don’t, have enough respect for those who provide that flag’s blanket of protection to stand clear. Golden rule: If you can’t fly it right, don’t fly it at all. For those of you who have not read the guidelines for flying and respecting our flag I have posted a copy of the relevant United States Code here... https://facebook/notes/nicholas-roberts/things-every-american-should-know-the-american-flag/209552919191207
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 01:06:18 +0000
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