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Though they may seem cute, fluffy or sexy and make you go "AWWWW".....they are offensive. They make me cringe, shudder and shake!
Do you know why? I hope so. AND, if not, I hope you read on.
Let me start by saying I am a PATRIOT! I am the Granddaughter of a Decorated WWII Veteran (RiP Pa), the Daughter of a Vietnam Veteran, the niece to many Uncles that served our Great Nation, the Ex Wife of an Operation Desert Storm Veteran, and ...I'll say it again...A PATRIOT!
There is a game currently in play here on FU with an image of an infant swaddled in our Flag. Being me, of course I had to express how disturbed I was by the image to the Hostess. She is a friend of mine here on FU so no drama is to come of this blog. It is simply somewhere for people to vent or discuss if you wish your opinion on the subject.
OUR FLAG IS NOT EVER TO BE LAID UPON THE GROUND, FLOOR or SWADDLED AROUND ANYONE! Unless it's your casket and you are in it!
There is such a thing as Flag Etiquette folks and it is disregarded far too often. I may bend on a lot of things in the morals department *winks* BUT, I will not BEND ON THIS!
She has graciously offered to provide an "alternate image" and will give people the option to choose. If you are participating in this game, or send these flags to me....Please, CHOOSE THE RIGHT and choose the alternate image of OUR FLAG, waving proudly as it should!
So, you can read on if you aren't familiar with flag etiquette. Here's some info from a couple of different sites.
xoxo
Bobbi-Jo
Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended 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 by burning in a dignified manner.
From another site on the proper way to display OUR COUNTRIES FLAG!
Some basics....
With three big Flag holidays coming up in short order, those being Memorial Day, Flag Day on June 14 and Independence Day on July 4, many Americans will be unfurling their flags in a show of patriotism on these days. But did you know there is such a thing as flag etiquette? A specific way your Flag should be displayed? Read on so you don't inadvertently get caught in a flag faux pas!
First and foremost, the Flag should be displayed in a proper fashion, either up a flag pole or in such a way that the Flag does not touch anything, allowing it to flow freely. The Flag is never meant to touch the ground. It is to be raised briskly, but when lowered, it is to be lowered slowly and reverently. Once lowered, ensuring that the Flag does not touch the ground, it is to be folded in a neat fashion (generally like a paper football) for storage until raised again. As a general rule, you should fly your Flag during daylight hours. It should be taken down at night, unless you have a spotlight on it.
If flown concurrently with another flag, for instance a State flag, Old Glory is to receive top billing. She must be flown higher than any other flags displayed with her. The other flags should not be larger than her and she is always the first to be raised and last to be lowered, and you should salute her on her on her ascent and descent. She must always be flown or displayed to her own right, a place of honor. The exception to this rule is when displayed with the flag of another country. In that case, the flags are to be flown on separate flag poles, with none higher than the others. They must also be the about the same size. It is a breach of protocol to fly one flag higher than the other in a time of peace.
If you must hang her on a wall, Old Glory should be displayed such that the Union (stars) is at the top. Never hang her bar side up, or upside down, as those are symbols of distress. When hung on a pole that juts out horizontally, such as on a balcony, or front of a building, the Union should be at the peak of the pole unless the Flag is to be flown at half-staff.
