Old American Flag

queequek · #1 04-22-2002, 07:38 PM

I thought I need to share this. I just realized that our American flag just has 48 stars - this is before Hawaii and Alaska became the states.
Do we need to buy a new flag, with 50 stars on?

DeltAlum · #2 04-22-2002, 09:56 PM

I'm pretty sure it's perfectly OK to fly any official American Flag -- past or present.

aephi alum · #3 04-22-2002, 10:03 PM

A little while back, (a couple of days after 9/11) I was talking to a police officer when he noticed that the flag on a nearby building was hung wrong (vertically, but with the stars at the upper right instead of the upper left). He called in to HQ and within a few minutes someone was out fixing the flag - turning it around so the stars were on the correct side. It was a 48-star flag... if it were "wrong" to fly that flag, I think they would have been asked to pull it in rather than turn it around.

Peaches-n-Cream · #4 04-23-2002, 12:55 AM

My neighbor has a huge 5 ft. flag in his window. I was amazed by its size, so I stopped and looked. It was a 48 state/star flag. I think that it was from WWII. I think that your flag is fine.

queequek · #5 04-23-2002, 01:39 AM

Yup, we bought a new flag today. I don't think anyone would notice how many stars one flag has! So, I just think this is a neat experience!

lifesaver · #6 04-23-2002, 03:20 AM

A huge issue on our campus this past summer (pre Sept 11) was the treatment of the flags flown in front of the Admin building. They are always left up, torn and arent lit at night. School says ROTC is in charge of them, ROTC says no dice - claims its physical plant's issue. Meanwhile SGA is trying to sort out the mess. Guess our admin spends more time on who has what title and less on respect that is due to old glory. sickening.

DeltAlum · #7 04-23-2002, 10:20 AM

Actually, I believe the "old" rules have been relaxed some. For instance, it's no longer necessary to light the flag if it's left up overnight. But it's still a nice gesture of respect.

I think if you're interested in "rules" for display and/or customs for flying the flag you could check with the American Leigon or a similar group.

Optimist Prime · #8 04-23-2002, 02:27 PM

What is the proper method of burning old flags? I know that when flags get old they should be burned respectfully and not just thrown away, but what is the propper way to do it??

DeltAlum · #9 04-23-2002, 03:55 PM

Actually, I think I heard on NPR or somewhere that burning is not even necessary anymore.

Again, I'd check with the American Leigon or someone.

Tom Earp · #10 04-23-2002, 06:00 PM

Yes, if it is an old flag, you burn it in a proper ceremony! Give to the local American Legion or VFW to have the Rite of Passage.

That is only if you are flying it! If you are keeping it for yourself you may!

My Chapter was given to us by Our Patroness that flew over the Capitol and is in a case so showing that it was give by Mrs L. You may have seen on another post!

If it gets tatered or dirty, it is to be destroyed!
A Flag Flying at night must be lit or taken down everynight at sunset!

Ease up, hell no, what is our Flag of which we salute and is our standard ALL OVER THE WORLD! BS, treat it with respect!

Stars are for states that have fought to be a memebr of this country! Red is for the Blood of the Men and Women who died to keep it this way!

It should not be worn as hats, t-shirts, bathing suits, or anything else that may show disrespect!
Ha it seems that has all gone by the way side!

Wear something that denotes you as an American in many countrys, You are Dead!

Well enuff of that! Respect one of the symbols of your country! What if they were speaking Japanese in Hawawii and the Phillipines!

German in Calif or New York!

I rest my case! Love to one and all!

SilverTurtle · #11 04-23-2002, 10:14 PM

Another good source for info on flag etiquette is to call your local flag and/or flagmaker shop. One of my coworkers was designing a layout for a customer that involved both the American flag and the State flag, and he wasn't sure how to display them together. So we called up "The Flag Lady" (that's the name of the store) and she told him all about it (for about 20 minutes). She was very helpful and informative.

lifesaver · #12 04-24-2002, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom Earp

It should not be worn as hats, t-shirts, bathing suits, or anything else that may show disrespect!
Ha it seems that has all gone by the way side!

Agreed tom. Cant stand this. I understand Post Sept 11, peeps wanting to show pride, but I dont like it when people wear old glory. I believe that familliarity breeds contempt.

Also: Message to EVERYONE who has one of those little antenna flags that everyone threw up after 9/11: IF IT IS TIRED AND TORN AFTER 6 MONTHS, SHOW IT THE RESPECT IT DESERVS AND TAKE IT OFF. IT DOESNT MAKE YOU ANY LESS PATRIOTIC.