Mar
28
‘Beware the Ides of March … ‘ And the Storms, Too
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 28
/PRNewswire/
– March and April can be turbulent months as far as weather goes. From hard rains to high winds, the early spring conditions can really make Old Glory dance. But in all the flag’s glory, the weather-chaotic months can yield extra expenses to flag owners. Flag and Banner, a Little Rock-based purveyor of custom flags and banners offers some tips on how to prolong the life of your flag in spite of the March weather. See http://www.flagandbanner.com/fab/flag.asp?cpage=flagcare1.
American Flag: How to care for your flag in bad weather
“The best thing to do when a storm is coming is to bring your flag indoors,” offers Flag and Banner CEO, Kerry McCoy, “But that’s not always convenient; weather arrives abruptly and disappears just as rapidly. So, if your perfectly good flag gets caught in a sudden windstorm and the fly end becomes tattered, do not despair — all is not lost. Just cut the tattered end off and re-hem it. Your flag will be a bit shorter, but no less proud.”
U.S. Flag: How to repair your flag
If a flag owner is not the best seamstress, Arkansas’ FlagandBanner.com. can repair quality US or state flags. Flag and Banner repairs (http://www.flagandbanner.com/fab/flag.asp?cpage=flagrepair) even the largest flags for a fraction of the full replacement cost, adding years to the flag’s life. Using Flag and Banner’s repair service is especially cost-effective for businesses that fly very large flags that cost thousands of dollars to replace.
“Be careful when trying to bring down one of those large flags,” warns McCoy, “It can be dangerous even when the smallest gusts are blowing. I saw one well-meaning man take flight when he refused to let go of the flag in an updraft. It sent him soaring over 20 feet in the air before he finally decided to let go. ”
For more information on flags or to purchase patriotic items, go to http://www.flagandbanner.com.
Source: Flag and Banner
CONTACT: Kerry McCoy of Flag and Banner, +1-501-375-7633,
kmccoy@flagandbanner.com
Web site: http://www.flagandbanner.com
Feb
18
Could Election Year Spark Increased Display of Patriotism?
Educational Opportunity
According to Kerry McCoy, owner of Arkansas Flag and Banner (www.flagandbanner.com), presidential election years are also good for the flag business. “Election years are good because of the increased interest in products displaying the American flag,” explains McCoy. “I also like election years because they increase our opportunity to educate the public about flag etiquette. In the 33 years, I have been in business I have found that I not only sell flags but provide a service to my customers about flag protocol.”
Tips on Proper Display
McCoy expects 2008 to be high in email and phone calling upon Arkansas Flag and Banner’s expertise on what is the proper way to display the flag. To prepare for the expected demand, the company has included information on flag etiquette, American flag history and when to fly the American flag on its website.
“The biggest mistake I see made is when the U.S. flag is displayed on a stage or podium with another flag like a state flag,” explained McCoy. “Remember, when you are setting up the stage the US flag always goes on the right. An easy way to remember this is that if you are sitting in the audience the American flag will be on your left.”
“Retail Politics” Redefined
Arkansas Flag and Banner also offers bunting, banners, jewelry, bumper stickers, collectibles and more for America’s political animals. A recent visit to http://www.flagandbanner.com/holiday/viewholiday.asp?hid=22
revealed 3” x 9” bumper stickers for Obama, McCain, Huckabee, Giuliani and Hillary starting at $2.99 but also beanie babies, flags, earrings and garden decorations for both democrats and republicans.
For more information on the proper display of the flag, readers can visit http://flagandbanner.com/fab/flag.asp?cpage=etiquette1 or email Info@FlagAndBanner.com.
Aug
2
Hurricane Flags are Back……Flag and Banner Tells their Story
Filed Under AFB Press Releases | 2 Comments
Little Rock, Arkansas—Flag and Banner.com, a leading retail supplier of American flags and patriotic items, announced today that those boxy, red hurricane flags with the black squares are making a comeback after nearly two decades on the sidelines.
Kerry McCoy, Owner of Flag and Banner, said today that “what may seem like a step back in technology is really just one more way to protect the public. After the Katrina disaster we all want to feel safer and to have all the possible warning tools available.”
McCoy continued, “During the past 30 years - the time I have been in the flag business - I have seen occasional purchases of US Storm Signal flags, consisting of one or both of the red Gale Storm Pennant and the red and black squared Hurricane Storm Flag. Now after Katrina they are making a huge comeback.”
Hurricane Flags Discontinued… and Now they’re back
In 1989, after 100 years of use, the Coast Guard found Storm Signal flags to be an inferior warning device compared to other technological devices such as TV and radio. But today, with more storms and what seems to be increasingly stronger storms, the Coast Guard is trying everything they can to protect coastal residents and visitors including bringing back the Hurricane flag. While the flags reach is limited, we can expect to see more of the red and black squared flags flying along the coast for boaters and tourists to observe.
Coast Guard Day
Join Flag and Banner as we celebrate Coast Guard Day on August 4th. Coast Guard Day honors the establishment of the Coast Guard in 1790 by Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton. The initial laws establishing the Coast Guard authorized the building of a fleet of ten cutters and tasked the Coast Guard with the enforcement of the first tariff laws enacted by Congress under the Constitution.
Today the USCG has a broad and important role in homeland security, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine environmental pollution response, and the maintenance of river, intracoastal and offshore aids to navigation (ATON). It also lays claim to being the United States’ oldest continuous seagoing service. The United States Coast Guard has approximately 40,150 men and women on active duty.
Jul
2
American Flag Etiquette Information Offered by Flagandbanner.com
Filed Under AFB Press Releases | Leave a Comment
Little Rock, Arkansas—FlagandBanner.com, a leading retail supplier of American flags and patriotic items, announced today that it will be providing free Flag Etiquette information year round for all those interested in learning the proper way to display the United States Flag.
“So many patriotic Americans are unaware of proper flag etiquette–when to take flags down, how to dispose of flags, and other general flag information,” stated Kerry McCoy, owner of Flag and Banner. “Because so many people from all over the United States have inquired about when and how to display the flag, we decided to provide the information in one place along with our email alerts, Kerry continued.
Information on the Flag and Banner website includes:
When should the American Flag Be Flown?
For a list of the primary holidays including five during which the flag should be flown at half staff.
US Flag History
For a concise history of the American Flag.
How to fold the American Flag
For a step-by-step guide–perfect for churches, scouts, schools and others.
Half Staff E-mail Alert
To register for a free email alert notification when the President calls for the flag to be lowered to half staff.
For more information on flags or to purchase patriotic items, go to www.FlagandBanner.com.
Apr
19
New “Half Staff First Alert” Email Service Offered by Flagandbanner.com
Filed Under AFB Press Releases | Leave a Comment
Little Rock, Arkansas—FlagandBanner.com, a leading retail supplier of American flags and patriotic items, announced today that it will be offering its “Half Staff First Alert” email notification service to anyone who wishes to be notified when the President calls for the flag to be lowered to half staff.
For many years Flag and Banner has been providing half staff email alerts to its customers. Additionally, Flag and Banner reminds customers when it is time to bring the flag back to full hoist. For the first time, the Little Rock based company is offering its email alert service to the general public.
Old Glory - Part of The Nation’s Healing Process
“The recent tragedy at Virginia Tech reminds us of the importance of unity and the American Flag,” stated Kerry McCoy, president of Little Rock based Flag and Banner. “When we as a people mourn, the United States flag is lowered to half staff all across the nation.”
There is an old adage which states: ‘Joy shared is multiplied. Grief shared is divided.’ The unity felt by all Americans when Old Glory flies at half staff re-establishes for all of us that we are not alone. It inspires in us a solidarity and determination that sees us through the most trying and difficult days. It is the first step taken on the pathway to healing. We come together as Americans to share our grief and to begin the process of rebuilding our hopes and our lives. As the flag is raised again, we know, so again, our spirits will also rise.
“We at FlagandBanner.com feel it is part of our duty to alert Americans when the President calls for the flag to be lowered,” stated McCoy.
If you would like to be on Flag and Banner’s “Half Staff First Alert” email list, visit the company’s website and sign up for “First Alert.”
Mar
20
Gold Star Flag, Plaques Presented to Guard in Honor of Fallen
Filed Under AFB Press Releases, AFB's Philanthropy | 1 Comment
Army Sgt. 1st Class John G. Brown, 43, of Little Rock, Ark.; assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment (Air Assault), 77th Aviation Brigade, Camp Robinson, Ark.; died in Baghdad on Jan. 20 when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter he was in crashed. Also killed were Col. Brian D. Allgood, Staff Sgt. Darryl D. Booker, Lt. Col. David C. Canegata, Command Sgt. Maj. Marilyn L. Gabbard, Command Sgt. Maj. Roger W. Haller, Col. Paul M. Kelly, Staff Sgt. Floyd E. Lake, Cpl. Victor M. Langarica, Capt. Sean E. Lyerly, Maj. Michael V. Taylor and 1st Sgt. William T. Warren.
Gov. Mike Beebe says dealing with grief-stricken military families is one of the toughest jobs in his role as the state’s leader. So when the family of Sgt. 1st Class John Gary Brown of Little Rock asked the state Department of Veterans Affairs for help in obtaining a custom-made red-and-white flag with a gold star, state officials and a Veterans of Foreign Wars post hustled to comply. “The most difficult job you have as governor is making phone calls to family members, particularly to widows, of fallen soldiers,” Beebe said. “And so it’s appropriate when we honor those fallen soldiers, we try to honor the requests of those families.” On Tuesday, Beebe, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9095, and Fred Steube of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs presented the flag and three plaques to Maj. Gen. Bill Wofford, adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard. Wofford will then pass on the honorary items to the fallen soldiers’ families, Beebe said.
The three plaques are in honor of Brown, Maj. Michael V. Taylor and Sgt. William Tom Warren, who were among 12 soldiers killed when their Black Hawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq. All three were members of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment of the 77th Aviation Brigade. The deaths were the first casualties for the 77th, military officials said. The crash also killed nine soldiers from Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, military officials said. The flag was designed by Arkansas Flag and Banner Company. The plaques, from the Veterans of Foreign Wars national headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., honor the three soldiers for their bravery and valor.
The Associated Press
Sep
14
September 11th has been designated as Patriot Day by United States Public Law #107-89, which amended Title 36 of the United States Code effective December 18, 2001. The law states that on Patriot Day, the Flag of the United States should be flown at half-staff in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks. State and local governments and the people of the United States have been called upon to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities. Further, the law requests that individuals observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims.
For a flag in a bracket mounted on a house or other building, it is not possible to “half-staff” the flag. Therefore, a tradition of using black ribbons as a sign of mourning can be used. Two black ribbons of suitable length (perhaps, the width and length of one stripe) should be attached at the top of the pole. For a flag hung vertically, a ribbon should be affixed at each end of the “top” heading of the flag. These ribbons should never be attached to the face of the flag itself. One theory on the origin of “half-staff” is that it comes from the military custom of lowering the flag to show, at the time of death, submission to the will of God. Current custom indicates that the flag is “in mourning” when it is at half-staff. It is interesting to note that other countries observe the same tradition at a time of national mourning.
When a flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised to the top of the pole and then lowered to half-staff. It is important to note that when the United States flag is flown at “half-staff”, no other flag can be flown at “full-staff”. It is disrespectful to fly any flag higher than the U.S. Flag. On a solemn occasion such as Patriot Day, proper respect should be shown to those who lost their lives as well as the surviving families by flying the U.S. Flag with dignity and respect. The U.S. Flag Code states that the flag should not be flown when it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. When the flag is faded, frayed or ripped, it is not considered to be a dignified symbol of the United States; it is disrespectful to fly the U.S. Flag in such a condition. Citizens should either remove “unserviceable” flags from display or proudly fly a bright, fresh flag during such solemn observances.
For further information, contact:
FlagandBanner.com
800 W. Ninth St.
Little Rock, AR 72201
800-445-0653
Posted by dlorah
Sep
11
The American Flag does not belong to any one political party, nor does it represent any one political view. The American flag belongs to all the people of the United States. Nothing told us this more than the way we came together as a people after the tragedies of September 11, 2001. Never had we seen more homes, more cars, more companies waving Old Glory than in the autumn of 2001. The flag was no longer an icon of our grandfather’s era but became once again an emotional symbol galvanizing ordinary citizens of all generations, creeds, and ethnic origins to stand united as Americans.
In reality, our Flag has always been there for all of us. What the flag truly represents is not war, not the government, not an attitude, or a policy or a political stance. Our Star Spangled Banner represents the rights and freedoms we all cherish as American citizens; the right to an education, the freedom to worship as we choose, the right to wave the flag in support of or in opposition of the right to speak out in protest, the freedom to assemble, the right to petition and be heard, the freedom to publish, and the right to vote for change.
We should all remember that having the freedom to dissent is the very reason we should love our country even more and not turn against her. Standing united as a country does not mean we all agree. Patriotism is defined differently depending on your point of view. One of the basic principles represented by this fluttering symbol is that Our nation is indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Remember, no matter what your point of view, Old Glory flies for us all. Don’t take your freedom for granted. Fly Your Flag.
Sep
1
September 11th has been designated as Patriot Day by United States Public Law #107-89, which amended Title 36 of the United States Code effective December 18, 2001. The law states that on Patriot Day is when to fly the flag at half-staff in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks. State and local governments and the people of the United States have been called upon to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities. Further, the law requests that individuals observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims. For a flag in a bracket mounted on a house or other building, it is not possible to “half-staff” the flag. Therefore, a tradition of using black ribbons as a sign of mourning can be used. Two black ribbons of suitable length (perhaps, the width and length of one stripe) should be attached at the top of the pole. For a flag hung vertically, a ribbon should be affixed at each end of the “top” heading of the flag. These ribbons should never be attached to the face of the flag itself. One theory on the origin of “half-staff” is that it comes from the military custom of lowering the flag to show, at the time of death, submission to the will of God. Current custom indicates that the flag is “in mourning” when it is at half-staff. It is interesting to note that other countries observe the same tradition at a time of national mourning.
When a flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised to the top of the pole and then lowered to half-staff. It is important to note that when the United States flag is flown at “half-staff”, no other flag can be flown at “full-staff”. It is disrespectful to fly any flag higher than the U.S. Flag. On a solemn occasion such as Patriot Day, proper respect should be shown to those who lost their lives as well as the surviving families by flying the U.S. Flag with dignity and respect. The U.S. Flag Code states that the flag should not be flown when it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. When the flag is faded, frayed or ripped, it is not considered to be a dignified symbol of the United States; it is disrespectful to fly the U.S. Flag in such a condition. Citizens should either remove “unserviceable” flags from display or proudly fly a bright, fresh flag during such solemn observances.
Jun
7
According to the Arkansas governor’s office, the US Flag is flown at half staff for 30 days after the death of a president. Since no flag is to be flown higher than the US flag, the declaration is in effect for 30 days for the state flag as well. American banner flags (those not mounted on a pole or staff) should be left as is.