Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Just a curiosity question 'bout Our American flag,...

Back, 'bout a hundred years ago, when I was a Boy Scout, proper display of Our flag was with the stars, upper portside corner....

Workin' out at Ft. Drum the last several years, 'n anytime a GI is seen on TV, their shoulder patch flags are positioned with the stars, upper starboard-side corner, rather than upper portside...

Is there a special meaning for this,..?? What did I miss,..??

I have the Upmost Respect for Our flag, 'n the ideals it represents,...
I just don't wanta inadvertently disrespect Our flag...

Thanks Guys,....

 

[Don S]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

I have noticed that too, so I just went searching.

What is the proper way to wear a flag patch on one's shoulder sleeve?

 

[woody66912]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

As i under stand it, they put the stars forward on the uniform to show no retreat. always moving forward.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

Ayuh,... Great link Don,... Lotsa Cool stuff there...

Woody got it right, always advancing... per the Army anyways...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

As i under stand it, they put the stars forward on the uniform to show no retreat. always moving forward.

Yep, I saw that addressed the same way a couple of years ago.

 

[Splat]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

You got it, always advancing. I asked my buddy about it last time I saw him in uniform. Funny how that kind of thing will catch your eye even when you aren't looking for it.

Bill

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

For the normal person just observing, yes, it has changed, now of course when I first went in the service, it was a hard concept for me to understand, I was taught one way growing and taught another way once I joined the military. I discussed this at great length with one of my instructors, who was a member of the Screaming Eagles in Vietnam, and he explained it to me, now it is fully acceptable to me. Either way is the right way, we chose to wears ours the newer way, because we didn't retreat.

No mater how it is displayed, at long as the stars are up and not upside down, it is correct.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

I did the same double take Bond-o. But like MT says, it's pretty much been that way (uniform wise) for a while. It was just a surprise to me. Kinda' like the concept now, but ... still get it wrong

 

[sccatfish]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

I thought this was going to be about flying the flag at all hours, in all weather, and even after it's become a tattered mess.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

I thought this was going to be about flying the flag at all hours, in all weather, and even after it's become a tattered mess.

I thought the same thing. A lady across the street from me flew the flag 24-7. I can't tell how many times I wanted to take it down for her. The new owners of the house took it down,probably don't want to raise & lower it every day.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

I thought this was going to be about flying the flag at all hours, in all weather, and even after it's become a tattered mess.

Yeah, let's not get started there ... I can give you 4 addresses off the top of my head, and they're public spaces.

 

[hostage]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

As i under stand it, they put the stars forward on the uniform to show no retreat. always moving forward.

This is what I remember being told, maybe from Mail Call or something.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

Slightly off topic but might be of interest to some. Veterans and active duty personnel out of uniform are allowed to render a hand salute to the flag. Veterans May Salute the Flag. Was a little surprised to learn that many were unaware of this and wanted to pass it along.

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

I like the fact that Vets can salute the flag. My wife and i are both Vets and were unaware of that.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Did Flag etiquette change while I wasn't lookin',..??

I salute the flag every time I see it, it has become just a natural reaction. I surprised the National Honor Guard when I did this at my father in laws funeral at Willamette National Cemetery a couple of years ago, I explained it to them, I was not in Uniform, I was in a pair of jeans and a sport shirt, so they questioned me. After explaining to them, and presenting my Identification, they actually invited me to fire a volley over his casket, it was an experience I will never forget.

Old solders may fade away, but that day, I actually cried.