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A childhood/high school classmate, who is also a Veteran, shared some thoughts overnight that reminded me of a specific issue where, deep down, I have some strong sentiments.
Election season doesn't help suppress this, either, as the tendencies for humans to succumb to the wants of enthusiasm lead to behaviors where intentions of peaceful expression do not align with actual displays of respect or reverence.
My parents (one of whom served during my childhood) spent a good deal of time instilling healthy Patriotism in the thoughts and actions of my sisters and I. One specific subject of focus was the treatment of the American Flag. Further, this education was expanded and reinforced along my path to Eagle Scout, and I've remained committed to upholding the standards in my life as an adult citizen, parent, and career civil servant.
Regardless the intention, and I believe most of my fellow Americans have good ones, there are just too many times nowadays where such visual expressions of patriotism, especially associated with politics, are disrespectful to the American Flag.
This is not a small issue. Flag desecration was a major social topic during my childhood and teenage years. While burning the American Flag is deemed appropriate as a means of retiring one in poor physical conditions (as a means of appropriate ceremony, which many Scout Troops host), its burning or destruction (Constitutionally protected under the First Amendment) does project a disrespect to fellow Citizens, especially those men and women who serve and have served to protect our nation and the rights and freedoms of the citizenry.
Today, according to the provisions of the U.S. Flag Code, it would be easy to find countless examples of varying degrees of desecration in all aspects of daily life, only magnified hundreds fold during a national election.
Legally speaking, this Federal Law (since 1942) is not explicitly enforceable. At the same time, if we take our patriotism seriously and see it as a reflection of our respect for our country, our fellow citizens, and our Veterans, perhaps we should take the time to review its components so we can restore a healthier, more respectful spirit of patriotism.
Finally, this goes back to the the concept of “American Pride” and how we should consider such a statement, spiritually, as a contradiction. “Pride” is a sin, after all. Perhaps, we should seek a spirit of patriotism rooted in reverence, humility, and purpose, with our visible displays upholding such a mindset.
One possession of my teenage years I am most grateful for is the American Flag, flown over the US Capitol, I received when I earned my Eagle. I am thankful to fly it at home on Holidays.
EPILOGUE
The American Legion offers the full and current U.S. Flag Code (per Federal Public Law) on their website.
https://www.legion.org/advocacy/flag-advocacy/flag-code
Here are some important aspects it includes:
Sec. 7(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
Sec. 7(d) The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
Sec. 7(e) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
Sec. 7(g) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
Sec. 7(k) When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker.
When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
Sec. 7(l) The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.
Sec. 8(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
Sec. 8(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
Sec. 8(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
Bunting of blue, white, and red always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
Sec. 8(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
Sec. 8(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
Sec. 8(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
Sec. 8(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
Sec. 8(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. (Disposal of Unserviceable Flags Ceremony)
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