Flags, flags & more flags
Flag etiquette, and is less more?
I learned flag etiquette from my Dad, a Korean veteran. He used few words, I only remember his actions.
Flag etiquette is elegant in its simplicity. You quietly post the flag at the crack of dawn, sometimes before coffee —
and you brought it in at dusk.
If you were going to display it two days in a row — that meant you did the up and down on both days. Each day deserved its own flag ritual.
One flag can offer more notice, reflection and emotion.
Flags are popular these days.
With many flags on many days, with many causes. . . do people reckon to use flag etiquette anymore?
While my Dad was losing fast ground with cancer, I found a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol that my brother had requested, years before. Why keep it in a bag in the closet?
I took it to the fire station and asked if they might be able to help me out with the tri-fold, so I could place it in a decorative display case (Michael’s craft store).
They seemed happy to help out for my Dad given the circumstances. Then folded within the triangular display, it could be out-of-the-closet.
Are there too many flags?
Are they all taken care of, with the dignity and respect that the military models?
Do they ever touch the ground?
Do people still care?
How do children learn flag etiquette today? Have we become lax?
In Girl Scouts, we’d use white gloves, ‘post’ the flag, step back with eyes on the flag and then be formally dismissed. In the evening, sometimes ‘taps’ was played and we sang.
At my house, we had the same flag for fifty years and gave it a good home.
I hope that all American flags are given flag etiquette along with a special storage space to call home.
Eyes are always watching, little sponges, no words necessary.
Enjoyed this Jan. So true in many respects. Thank you.
Proper care of the Flag is becoming a lost art. The American Legion used to replace and properly dispose of worn American flags.