May
25
After some confusion, the U.S. Olympic Committe has a message for its athletes: Go ahead and wave the flag.
Because of security issues in Athens, the war in Iraq and the recent prison abuses there, much of the USOC’s preparations for the games have centered on keeping athletes safe. But the USOC also wants U.S. athletes to keep from making things worse with the kind of arrogant behavior that has surfaced in recent years.
That includes sprinter Jon Drummond’s tantrum at last year’s world track championships, and the strutting, flag-waving display put on the victorious men’s 400-meter relay team at the 2000 Sydney Games.
May
19
Guidelines for Flag Display During Wartime
Filed Under AFB Press Releases, AFB in Print | Leave a Comment
It is always permissible and desirable to fly the American flag but displaying it every day is particularly appropriate to show support for our troops when the nation is at war. While it is considered inappropriate to fly the American flag in inclement weather, it is permissible to fly the flag at night if there is enough lighting in the area so that the flag can be plainly seen.
There is no special “war time” protocol for displaying the American flag during periods of military conflict, although there are situations that arise that generate questions.
The flag should normally be at full staff. It should be half-staffed for a designated half-staff holiday*, or by proclamation of the President. The Governor of a State, territory or possession of the United States also may proclaim that the national flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a present or former official of that State, territory or possession as a mark of respect to their memory.
When a US flag cannot be lowered because it is mounted either on an indoor flag set or on a small pole made for porch or window display, tying a black bow above a full- staffed flag properly indicates mourning.
Use of a yellow ribbon has been an unofficial American tradition for over 100 years. Displaying a yellow ribbon indicates thoughts and prayers for the safe return of American forces on duty away from home. No official guidelines for its display exist but yellow ribbons are often tied to trees and light poles or displayed in miniature on the left lapel of jackets or other clothing with a lapel pin. When displayed with an American flag the preferred position of the yellow ribbon is tied in a bow above a full-staffed flag.
Note that displaying a black or yellow ribbon above the American flag is not considered a breech of Flag Etiquette because the ribbon does not represent another country or organization.
*Designated half-staff holidays are Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), Korean War Veterans Day (July 27th), Patriot Day (Sept.11) and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (Dec. 7th). See flagandbanner.com for more days on when to fly the flag at half-staff
Information courtesy of the Flag Research Center, Winchester, MA. and the National Flag Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA. For more detailed information regarding Flag Etiquette contact the National Flag Foundation at 800-615-1776.
May
13
Manny Ramirez led his Red Sox teammates out of the dugout Tuesday night, waving a small American flag on his first full day of U.S. citizenship.
With the flag rippling in the wind, he ran to left field as fans cheered, then went to the seats along the foul line and handed it to a fan.
“I’m very proud to be an American citizen,” he said with a big smile before Boston’s game against Cleveland.
Ramirez, 31, moved from his native Dominican Republic to New York City when he was 13. His parents and sisters are citizens.
TheBostonChannel.com - Boston
May
11
Banner with Thousands of Messages Gives Support to Troops
Filed Under Current Events | Leave a Comment
Banner with Thousands of Messages Gives Support to Troops
Californians are showing their support for National Guard troops and reservists by writing messages on a banner at the State Capitol.
The banner is making its way across the country. The goal is to gather 1.2 million signatures to match the 1.2 million reservists in America’s armed forces.
News 10 - Sacramento, CA
May
9
I looked up and saw the condition of that flag and said, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe this flag is even being displayed like this,’” Cundieff said. “The stripes were ripped all the way to the blue banner. It looked worse than flags that have flown over a battlefield. Those flags have a reason to be torn, but this flag was shredded almost beyond recognition.”
Cundieff is a Vietnam era veteran who served in the army from 1971 to 1980.
“I almost lost my life on the East/West German border one night trying to preserve freedom and all that the flag stands for,” Cundieff said.
When Cundieff got home, he said he immediately called the Powell House.
“I told the person on the phone that I felt the way they were displaying the flag totally dishonored all that the flag represents,” Cundieff said. “I told them many men and women had died for that flag and that it shouldn’t be displayed all tattered and torn. I told them that if it was still flying like that by sunset, I would take it down myself. That’s when they hung up on me.”