As you travel through Cape May County you can see patriotism on display, with many businesses and private citizens displaying the American flag. However, at what point does displaying the flag become a matter of disrespect?
The Herald caught images of several U.S. flags that were not only beyond their serviceable life but actually reminded you of battle flags from wars of the past. But even then, was there more respect for the flag?
Consider the late Heath Ledger’s character, Gabriel Martin, in Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot,” released in 2000. The son of a war hero, Benjamin Martin, Gabriel picks up a tattered flag off the battlefield and in his free time mends the holes and tatters caused by flying bullets and whatnot.
Flags posted outside private homes and other locations sometimes do not get the same respectful treatment.
It should be noted that the flags pictured were removed or replaced by publication deadline.
Information on the Department of Veterans Affairs website, VA.gov, tells about how to care for, display and, when it is time, dispose of the American flag.
Proper Display and Handling
- Don’t let the flag touch the ground, floor, water or merchandise: The flag should always be kept aloft and free.
- Don’t display it upside down unless it’s a signal of distress: This is a sign of great danger or emergency.
- Display it from sunrise to sunset: However, it can be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated.
- Don’t use the flag as clothing, bedding or drapery: Instead, use bunting for decorative purposes.
- Don’t use it for advertising or to decorate goods: The flag should not be used for commercial purposes.
- Don’t carry it flat or horizontally: Always carry it aloft and free.
- Don’t dip it to any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor.
- When displayed against a wall, the union (field of stars) should be uppermost and to the observer’s left.
- When displayed in a window, the union should be to the left top of the observer in the street.
- When displayed with other flags on the same staff, the U.S. flag should be at the top.
- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- When lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.
Flag Etiquette
- Keep it clean and in good repair. Clean and mend the flag when necessary.
- When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.
In August 2021, a flag retirement burning station, which was the Eagle Scout project of Zachary DuFault, was dedicated at Cape May County Park South in Del Haven.
The garden and flag-burning station was built with help from donations from the community. Anyone who has an unserviceable flag that should be retired should contact their local service organization, such as the VFW, DAV or American Legion.
More detailed information about flag etiquette and the U.S Flag Code can be found at VA.gov and United States Flag Store website.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
