I saw this story and had to pause. In this new day of flag flying patriotism, it’s hard to make an issue with someone wanting to display the American flag, but I wish they would show enough care and wisdom to want it displayed properly.
A giant American flag the size of a football field is nothing new, but I’ll take this opportunity to share a lesson from the U.S. Flag Code, as it speaks to this display.
ksl.com – U of U Football Stadium Gets New Look
(KSL News) The football field at Rice-Eccles Stadium got a patriotic new look today.
The football stadium was host to a giant American flag that goes from goal line to goal line and is 50 yards wide.
Section 8 of the U.S. Flag Code is titled Respect for Flag. Section 8(c) states
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
Out of respect for the American flag, we are never to carry it flat or horizontally, period. It is clear from this text—this particular flag display will always be in direct violation of the Flag Code.
It’s a shame that in trying to show their pride in the U.S. (without verifying the proper display and respect for the flag) they disrespected the VERY symbol of our country they decided to use.
What’s next? The Bald Eagle?
It looks out of proportion, too.
The problem is that its been done before, therefor people assume its okay.
Yes Dave, it’s hard to put the genie back in the bottle. It is assumed that if someone has done it, it must be okay, so they don’t check.
On the proportions, it is within a few yards of correct according to flag code. To be perfect, it would be 50 yards wide and 95 yards long. It looks odd because of that genie in the bottle problem again. Most flags today are manufactured to a size of convenience rather than code.
Oh, and thanks for reading and commenting, Dave. You’re one in a million. Literally!
And of course, the APO at UT carries a huge Texas Flag horizontally onto the field at some UT home games.
Its one of the most popular halftime events and always gets a huge cheer from folks in the stands. Including me (I admit I never knew it was against the Flag Code to carry the US flag horizontally).
It’s a tough call, Fred. I love it too, but at some point the law of the land (U.S. Flag Code) should be considered. It is used for clothing, paper plates, napkins, cups, and everything else under the sun. It’s meant to show pride in the flag, apple pie, and the USA, but does it? That’s the struggle in these situations.
Is not the flag draped coffin of an American Veterian considered carrying the flag horizontally? This use of the flag could not be against the flag code could it? Only a question that came to mind I mean no disrespect.
Hi John,
I’m glad you took the time to write. Your question is very good. I have been searching for when the practice began, of putting the flag on the coffins of veterans. I have not found an answer to that yet, but I know it predates the (written into law) admonition to not carry the flag horizontally or flat.
Without saying it directly, perhaps the flat display of the flag was always meant to be saved for flags placed on coffins. I don’t know what the exact description is—I always think of it as the “mourning position,” with the blue field to the left—over the heart.
In America, the our greatest sorrow and our greatest honor is to lay the flag upon the coffin of a veteran, which is the act of utmost respect. Americans have no other colors except the flag. We thoughtfully and deliberately rejected the idea of royalty and nobility, who have their own “colors” and banners (their national flags notwithstanding).
Your comment has give me a whole new way to approach my research, and I thank you. I get my best ideas from readers.