Comments on: Flag FAQ

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:26:55 +0000

Yes, we are supposed to stand when the colors are paraded. But the colors should be announced also, so that people have time to stand. This article on protocol will give you more information. Thank you for writing, Nancy.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:11:09 +0000

When presenting the colors walking the flag from one side of the room to the other to post the flag, should the people stand to honor the flag

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:00:35 +0000

Thank you, Chris.

By: Chris Catalano

Chris Catalano — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 04:58:04 +0000

David,
From my personal experience of 23 years of Military service: The American flag is worn on the right sleeve, prior to deployment, with the stars facing foward. The reason being that the flag is ALWAYS moving forward on the battlefield, never in retreat, which is a word not found in modern military vernacular (one would say retrograde instead).

Furthermore, the right sleeve eventually would have a unit patch placed on it, to indicate unit of service or attachment during deployment. Most soldiers refer to it as a “Varsity patch” because they have served in a combat zone.

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:25:14 +0000

David, I would need to check for the particulars, but I believe one of the U.S. commanders in charge of troops in the war zone(s) made the decision for the the military personnel to wear the flag on the right sleeve in what is called the reverse position (whereas the obverse side is the view in which we commonly expect to see a flag patch).

Two things to remember: the U.S. Flag Code is a document written for civilians. The five branches of the military have their own specific flag code to follow, which differs in some aspects from the civilian document.

However, there is nothing in the U.S. Flag Code that prevents the non-military people you mention (firefighters, police, EMTs, Scouts, et cetera) from also wearing a flag patch in the reverse position. It is a matter of tradition and choice, not specific code.

By: david

david — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:35:29 +0000

The US flag is worn on soldiers uniform flying to the rear, symbolizing the soldier going into battle. The flag is worn by non-military personnel also as a patch,( police, fire, etc.), but not in the same manner. Does anyone know how and why. Thank you.

By: Christen

Christen — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:02:20 +0000

I have an important question about the parts of the american flag. Now I know that the side of the flag closest to the pole is the hoist, but my question is: the white binding that is on the hoist side of the flag is that origianlly classified as a part of the flag, or is it classified as an accessory to the flag to be used as the part to help fly the flag from the pole. Also is it classified as defacing the flag if on that white binding you have someone’s name embroydered into that binding. For example we fly over 530 flags on every veteran’s holiday and these flags are 5′ x 9 and a half foot casket flags. To help keep them straight as to who the flag is in rememberence of we usually have the person’s name engraved into the white binding. Before we do anymore i need to know if that is legal or classified as defacing the flag.

Thank you for your time.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 05:16:10 +0000

This is exactly what I expected to find out after reading the title Flag FAQ. Thanks for informative article