Do you fly an American flag at your home?

[Gumby]

My father went into the Navy at age 17 during World War II. He was definitely patriotic but he never flew the flag. It wasn’t odd- I don’t recall any of our neighbors flying the flag. I fly no flags.
My dad did play John Philip Sousa music though and I still listen to that sometimes.
How many of you do that!

For four years, I marched with a rifle over my shoulder to the accompaniment of many John Philip Sousa tunes.

 

[bbbamI]

We don't fly a flag, but we do have a flag sticker on our mailbox.

My father, 93 years old, passed away on the 18th of April this year. We had military honors at his funeral. I received the flag and it's sitting on our fireplace mantel. I was and still am so very proud of him. I miss him so much....

 

[OK EE]

I am a U.S. citizen the hard way. I am proud to be an American. We have a 35' pole with a 6x10 flag that flies 24/7 and is lit. You can see it over the top of the house.

New flag every 12-18 months. Have to buy good ones.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Our friends split their time between 2 states/homes. Whenever they are back, their US flag is raised. We joked that it is like the Buckingham Palace, their flag is raised when the Queen/King are in.

 

[USGrant1962]

Even at the ranch we have a few buntings hung half the year.
View attachment 64581

Now I'm considering adding bunting to our cottage, which displays a 45-degree flag 24/7. And that flag is getting pretty long on the tooth so should also be replaced. Sad I didn't think of it before the 250th, .

 

[JackJester]

In my neck of the woods there are lots of flags being flown .... they're just upside down. According to americanflags.com this is not really illegal or disgraceful:

What Does the Upside Down American Flag Mean?​

Historically, an upside-down American flag has been a sign of distress or severe emergency. This tradition originates from maritime practice. In the 17th century, sailors would invert their national flags to signal immediate danger, such as fires, pirate attacks, or a sinking ship.
Over time, the meaning has expanded beyond life-or-death scenarios. As far back as the mid-19th century, abolitionists used the inverted flag to protest slavery. Upside-down U.S.A. flags as a form of protest continued to grow in popularity into the 20th and 21st centuries. While its use has evolved, the core message remains the same: a nation or individual in distress.
In modern contexts, the threat may not always be immediate or physical. Usually, it reflects a deep concern over the country's direction or a perceived erosion of core American values.

When Can You Fly the American Flag Upside Down? | AmericanFlags.com

Discover the meaning behind flying the American flag upside down and when it’s considered appropriate on AmericanFlags.com’s blog.

www.americanflags.com

 

[pb4uski]

While I understand and appreciate the sentiment I still think it is disrespectful to fly the flag upside down. I'll admit to not noticing any flags flying upside down in my travels. It would be upsetting to me.

 

[Flieger]

While I understand and appreciate the sentiment I still think it is disrespectful to fly the flag upside down. I'll admit to not noticing any flags flying upside down in my travels. It would be upsetting to me.

I think it would indicate severe distress (mental?) in the household where it is being flown.....

Flieger

 

[stepford]

I see many references to miltary service in this thread. So i wonder: Do most of those who display a flag have some connection to the miltary (either they or a close family member served)? Probably need another poll.

 

[RunningBum]

I think it would indicate severe distress (mental?) in the household where it is being flown.....

Flieger

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/us/justice-alito-upside-down-flag.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uVA.Ida1.FXtRYDWWANBJ&smid=url-share

Alito household

 

[Flieger]

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/us/justice-alito-upside-down-flag.html?unlocked_article_code=1.uVA.Ida1.FXtRYDWWANBJ&smid=url-share

Alito household

Your point? I don't care who it is or which "side". People need to get a life. Or more pointedly, enjoy the life in the best country in the world, that people literally die trying to come to.

Flieger

 

[pb4uski]

I see many references to miltary service in this thread. So i wonder: Do most of those who display a flag have some connection to the miltary (either they or a close family member served)? Probably need another poll.

No in my case.

 

[Beststash]

Usually, it reflects a deep concern over the country's direction or a perceived erosion of core American values.

I personally think believe the country is moving away from its founding principles. I am especially concerned about the lack of accountability and corruption. I don't view integrity as a partisan issue.

I think it would indicate severe distress (mental?) in the household where it is being flown.....

I think there are better ways to show disapproval than disrespecting the flag. I love my country but expect better from my government.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

In my neck of the woods there are lots of flags being flown .... they're just upside down. According to americanflags.com this is not really illegal or disgraceful:

I agree, either fly it or not, do not disgrace it.

 

[G-Money]

I agree, either fly it or not, do not disgrace it.

I don't see "upside down flag" to be disgraced. Perhaps politically tinted, which goes along with my sentiments above about how context matters.

But that brings up a good question. When people feel like the founding principles of our country and core freedoms are eroding or being challenged, is flying the flag supporting the direction things are headed, does it not necessarily mean that (and how do others know?) and what is the appropriate display of... we'll call it "concerned patriotism" with regards to the flag and projecting patriotism in general?

 

[ShokWaveRider]

Poll results are interesting ....... almost a 50/50 split.

 

[Chuckanut]

I think it’s important to fly the flag for what it represents - A more perfect union, All men are created equal, Inalienable rights, etc.

 

[Just_Steve]

24/7

 

[Chuckanut]

I am a U.S. citizen the hard way. I am proud to be an American. We have a 35' pole with a 6x10 flag that flies 24/7 and is lit. You can see it over the top of the house.

New flag every 12-18 months. Have to buy good ones.

I am not trying to be a wise-guy or a nit-picker. But, I was taught the flag should not be flown in bad weather. At my grade school, I occasionally had the honor of raising the flag for the day. Once I got called to the principal’s office (YIKES!). “ Chucky, the custodian is sick today, a big rain storm is coming, we need you to take down the flag ASAP.”

 

[G-Money]

Everyone who files a US flag has made sure it's made in the USA as to match your enthusiastic patriotism, yes?

FWIW I do own a US flag and it was made here in the US and it was not cheap. A 3x5 goes for over $200 these days.

 

[RetiredHappy]

Everyone who files a US flag has made sure it's made in the USA as to match your enthusiastic patriotism, yes?

FWIW I do own a US flag and it was made here in the US and it was not cheap. A 3x5 goes for over $200 these days.

Good point. Too late now! The only ones that ship with the poles that we can get before July 4th are made in China.

 

[Just_Steve]

https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf

The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms
unless it is an all-weather flag.

 

[Beststash]

FWIW I do own a US flag and it was made here in the US and it was not cheap. A 3x5 goes for over $200 these days.

I used to call or go online and ask my Congress critter for a flag - not sure if that happens anymore?

 

[pb4uski]

...But that brings up a good question. When people feel like the founding principles of our country and core freedoms are eroding or being challenged, is flying the flag supporting the direction things are headed, does it not necessarily mean that (and how do others know?) and what is the appropriate display of... we'll call it "concerned patriotism" with regards to the flag and projecting patriotism in general?

What you wrote is a bit convoluted for me but I'll try to answer. My flying the flag regularly for many years now has nothing to do with my feelings about the direction of politics at any point in time. Nada. I have flown the flag for many years during administrations that I generally agreed with and also during administrations that I vehemently opposed.

I think I probably got it from my Dad, who proudly installed a tall flagpole in the yard at his summer home.

 

[pb4uski]

I am not trying to be a wise-guy or a nit-picker. But, I was taught the flag should not be flown in bad weather. At my grade school, I occasionally had the honor of raising the flag for the day. Once I got called to the principal’s office (YIKES!). “ Chucky, the custodian is sick today, a big rain storm is coming, we need you to take down the flag ASAP.”

I thought so too but I'm not so sure.

If the flag is made of an "all-weather" material (such as nylon, polyester, or specially treated cotton designed to withstand moisture and wind), it can be left up during a storm.

Most modern flags sold today for outdoor use are specifically labeled as all-weather flags. If you are flying a traditional, untreated cotton or wool flag, it should always be brought indoors before the storm hits.

Even with an all-weather flag, it is standard practice to take it down if extremely violent weather (like a hurricane, tornado, or severe windstorm) is expected, simply to protect the flag and the flagpole from being destroyed.