Flying the American Flag

[BernieMac13]

Driving through Seattle today I got two different people who shook their heads at me as I drove through the city in traffic. I can only imagine it was because of the flag, and that really makes me sad. This is a big part of why we are moving out of this beautiful state. Anyone else run a flag on their truck or AS?

[rmkrum]

There is no shortage of impolite people out there. Sad.

[BernieMac13]

I’m afraid that, at least in the northwest, there’s a big shortage of American pride. I think pride is a good thing when it comes to your home country, no matter where you’re from. When you have pride in something, you tend to take to take care of it, and I would hope everyone wants that. Seems a shame to see the opposite out there.

[MAJORJDB]

I certainly agree with your display of American pride, I personally display my pride via American flag decals on my AS and TV (as well as Purple Heart plates on my TV). At home a lighted flagpole/flag is on the front yard. While I agree with BernieMac13 in being proud of where you come from, you are in the United States and that should be your focus. I see more and more flags of other countries displayed at homes in the Northeast instead of the American flag. I say go back if you like it so much better there than here, sorry if that's not PC these days... I remember a time when people where proud to assimilate into American society, not so much anymore...
: (

[knunut]

In Chgo area you see More " NON " American Flags on any given day. Would like to say more .

[ROBERT CROSS]

How would like to flap at 60mph...?

PROUD on a pole.

Semper-fi

Bob
🇺🇸

[Julie-Bob]

Seattle area is just Northern California thinking that’s why we are pray for the ice poles to melt.

[DaveP]

We fly ours everyday. So do many other people around here. This is a big military town. We live just north of the Air Force Academy. We have Peterson Air Force Base, NORAD/NorthCom headquarters and Cheyenne Mountain, so their is no shortage of patriotic folk.

[skyguyscott]

I think you should be allowed to fly the flag whenever you want. It's a free country. If people get offended by flying the flag, that is their right, their issue.

I think you should be allowed to fly the confederate flag whenever you want. It's a free country. If people get offended by flying the confederate flag, that is their right, their issue.

I think you should be allowed to fly the gay pride flag whenever you want. It's a free country. If people get offended by flying the gay pride flag, that is their right, their issue.

I think you should be allowed to fly the Nazi flag whenever you want. It's a free country. If people get offended by flying the Nazi flag, that is their right, their issue.

I think you should be allowed to burn the flag whenever you want. It's a free country. If people get offended by burning the flag, that is their right, their issue.

Flags, the SCOTUS has ruled, are forms of speech protected by the first amendment to the constitution. What is being spoken is open to interpretation, and not always under the control of the person flying or burning the flag. Some will support you, some will ignore you, some will condemn you. But not everyone will always agree with you. (or perhaps, they really do agree with you, but misunderstood what you were trying to represent)

[Acheron2010]

Here in the free state of Tennessee, at one campground, I have seen the Stars and Bars, Old Glory, and a Trump flag on Flag Day. I loved it.

[zilcsak]

We don’t have an airstream yet, but we hope to get one soon. My wife and I immigrated from Romania 15-20 years ago and we now call the USA home. We display the American flag at home and we’re proud to be first generation Americans now. We’re also very thankful to the many, many folks that welcomed us so kindly and we always do our best to give back to them and to others that we meet on our travels and at home - we live in a Seattle suburb. I see nothing wrong with flying the flag! On the contrary, I find that so patriotic and so American, and that’s why we do it too. Those who made a face towards you were just idiots and, in my opinion, not representative of the folks who live in the Seattle area at all. Shame on them! We have many friends here in the Pacific Northwest and not one of them would do anything like that. That’s just my experience living here for the past couple of decades. Happy travels you all!! Please do visit Washington state because it’s breathtaking.

[rmkrum]

Best cure for folks that object to you flying an American Flag is to fly MORE of them.

I’m a Navy veteran, and I fly the flag every day, to the point that I have to replace them once a year or so.

[Al and Missy]

I have a different take on it, more along the lines of Bob's comment above. I have seen too many flags flown from vehicles until they are in tatters. Flags are commonly flown on boats; smaller ones are flown on the front of motorcade vehicles. But for some reason I get an uneasy feeling when I see a large flag flown from a vehicle at speed.


From the flag code, 4 USC:
"(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way."


Not that anyone respects the flag code any more....


Al

[rmkrum]

As long as the flag is property maintained, I have no issue. The tattered mess, or a fouled flag bugs the heck out of me as well.

[BernieMac13]

You guys are all fantastic. Thanks a lot for the shares, it’s good to know I’m not alone! And as for the wear and tear, I’m 100% with you folks on that. I have another flag we will put on once we have a solid plans for a more mobile pole.

Anyone have any inexpensive, DIY AS hitch mounts?

[J. Morgan]

Count me among Patriots.

I haven't yet flown a flag from my vehicle though. But now I intend on doing so.

[OTRA15]

FYI Wikipedia's summary of the Flag Code:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code

. . . some of which is not followed all that well IMO.

FYI/FWIW

[GSansoucie]

My only problem with people flying a flag on their (moving) vehicle is when they fail to inspect the flag. Around here, that is pretty much most of the time. Flying a flag behind your Jeep that travels at 65mph+ for days will take its toll on the flag. When a flag has been worn and is beginning to tatter, it must be retired. Our local Boy Scout troop handles retiring them properly (most of the Stars are cut out for the “Pease Greeters” and the flags themselves are retired in a private ceremony). If you are going to fly the flag, show respect for it.

Btw: the “Pease Greeters” is a local volunteer organization that meet at the Pease International Tradeport (formerly Pease AFB) and greet all military personnel that stop over on their way to or from Iran or Afghanistan. Quite a greeting, I had a similar thing happen to me when my wing was returning from the Gulf War in ‘91 flying through Bangor Maine at midnight enroute to Myrtle Beach AFB, something I will never forget.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Just remember...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlofnxJxMIQ

"I have another flag we will put on once we have a solid plans for a more mobile pole."

Got this years ago when it was a lot less expensive...great quality. Can't comment on the others that are now available.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mount'n Man]

Here's our rig--note the solar flag pole light... Didn't see any mention of flying Ol' Glory at night in the Wikipedia post, but was always taught that she's either lit or taken in at night (4 CFR, section 6a I think)