the flag

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ffbam24 on December 22, 2007 at 4:55pm

Field of blue is always forward. "Closer to the heart."
If the flag is on your right shoulder, it will look backwards to most, but this is the proper display.
Same goes as if it were displayed on a vehicle. Flags on the passenger' side will appear backwards while flags on the driver's side are in the usual appearance we are used to.

If you do a search on Google on "flag etiquette" you'll find your official answers in this.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by J Brooks on December 23, 2007 at 4:33pm

I have asked to same question since ours is "backwards". The flag code actually does not specify, it recommends that the field is forward. It also says that it is up to your individual State's Attorney General to come up with a ruling. So, I emailed ours and asked. Surprsingly, I got no response.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on December 23, 2007 at 4:49pm

A couple of months ago there was a discussion on this:

http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topic/show?id=889755%3ATopic...

Basically when the flag patch is worn on the right arm the stars are on the right. It's called a reverse field flag IIRC.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason Black on December 23, 2007 at 4:53pm

Don't know how true it is, but the flag is suppose to appear as if the person or vehicle it is on is moving forward. So if it is on the right side of the shirt it would appear to be "backward" with the stars on the right side. We had this discussion at our FD and several fireman got it changed to the incorrect way. We display the flag on the right sleave with the stars on the left, which is actually incorrect.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris E. Gaines on December 24, 2007 at 11:31am

Havinging never had the honor or privilige to serve my country in the armed forces I wunaware of the many customs of our great flag. This was set straig at an early age my by Grandfather a retired Marine who served in most of the Korean war. As a young child respect was a word I learned and used often. My grandfather to this day flies and American Flag and a Marine Corp flag in his front yard and both are lit up at night. When I entered the fireservice as a full time member I noticed every member of my department and surrounding departments had the flag incorrectly displayed. Our SOP's state it will be displayted on the right shoulder but gives no other requirement. I ordered my uniforms just like eveyone else expecting it to be correct since we had recently changed uniform companies. To my suprise it arrive WRONG. When questioning the company I was told the reversed field only applied to military personel and this I knew was wrong. I found a local shop to change out the flags on my jacket and Class A shirt after finding the reversed flag online. I recently inquired about starting a local Honor Gurad for Our county. Upon asking was told another department that had a "Great" honor guard andwent to ask them about training and other. My fisrt impression of them was somewhat marred due to all thier Honor Uniforms having the flag on the right sleeve incorrectly displayed, it was RETREATING. The flag never retreats just ask my grandfather or any other veteran... I understand an Honor Guard os to show Honor and Respect for our fallen Brothers but that is hard when someone didn't take the time to check out the correct respect for the flag. I understand they probobly got them this way as I did and just assumed it was correct, but I know it has been pointed out and still not corrected. How much does a patch and a little thread cost? Enough of my rantings for today. By the way the US Flag Code is U.S. Code Title 4 Ch 1 and Title 36 Ch 10 for those wanting to read it themselves.

Also quick trivia : When is the only time another flag can be displayed above the U.S. Flag. One is listed in the code but if you read between the lines there are actually two?? Someone has to be just as full of useless information as I am, at least that is what my wife calles it till she sees a flag at Half-Staff and calls me to find out why.

Also if anyone looks a t the tail of a large jet like Air Force One, it will have the flag reversed on the Right side. FYI...


Thanks,

Chris

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LT Lake on October 1, 2008 at 4:41pm

Section 7c of the flag code states the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. and the other time is if the US flag is flown at half staff in the presence of flags of other nations that are not being flown at half staff.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CFD on December 24, 2007 at 12:30pm

I have always been told the flag leads into battle,,,you can order directional flags,,,look at the bow of a boat ,,,wish i had a pic of mine but blue fields forward,,,uniform companyies carry both, so order the correct one for the arm you choose,,also it goes over the heart,,,its a living thing,,,ask a vet.

as for which flag is allowed to fly above,,hmmm
when our flag is flown at half staff no flag flys on the staff with it either

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Thomas A. Barrett on December 24, 2007 at 1:26pm

Well as a fromer Soldier we where thaught tha when Retreat was called we had to bring the colors/flag in so as not to dishonor it, I wear my flag patch with the blue forwards on my gear, I get mine from U.S. Cavalery, Ranger Joes, and other Military suppliers, I tell the Politico's to go suck on an egg, cause I fell we should wear them on our clothing, with the Stars on Blue Forward.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by J Brooks on December 24, 2007 at 3:06pm

Not to down play the importance of the flag or anyone wanting to display it... Here is something else to ponder. The flag code also mentions a lot of other things that the flag should not have done to it. Wearing the flag on turnout gear or helmets (I do too), is against the code if you read it. There is something in there about the flag being destroyed. In reality, if we wear it into a fire that is exactly what we are all doing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Flag_Code

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on December 24, 2007 at 4:20pm

Not exactly. The flag patches, pins and stickers we wear are flag replicas, not flags.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Andrew Robertucci on December 24, 2007 at 3:44pm

To wear our country's flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. Further, when worn on the sleeve of a military uniform, the flag should appear to be advancing and not retreating. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your LEFT sleeve, use a left flag (normal). For patches worn on your RIGHT sleeve, use a "right" or "reversed field" flag.

Since the Flag Rules do not specifically address the positioning of the patch, a decision is left to the discretion of the organization prescribing the wear. Some elect to use the "left" flag on both sleeves. [Note: many states and cities have ordinances pertaining to the use of the flag; you may wish to contact the Attorney General of your state or the City Attorney's office regarding this matter.] If you are planning to wear only one patch, it is recommended that you wear a "left" flag on your left sleeve.

Military guidelines specify that in support of joint or multi-national operations (as in Iraq), the "right" flag is worn on the right sleeve (see picture), 1/4" below the shoulder seam or 1/8" below any required unit patches. (Class A uniform excepted.)
Source: Army Website FAQs

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Damon Dyer on March 25, 2008 at 6:15pm

Thank you for the info we got it right .

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last