As with all parades, there were flags everywhere, so I got busy taking pictures with my cell phone (I could have sworn the camera was in the car) while Deborah actively watched the parade, standing out front of the Ace Hardware store.

It was a great parade and we enjoyed ourselves very much. Besides horses (riding clubs), there were two marching bands, classic cars (about eight 55-57 Thunderbirds), lots of politicians, and several local organizations represented.

Speaking of flags, it was apparent some of the participants needed to brush up on the U.S. Flag Code. Some of the parade participants displayed the flags improperly, so with that introduction, I would like to give a lecture on parade protocol.

As I’ve written before, the problem appears when the U.S. flag is displayed with other flags. Using the U.S. and Texas flag code as our guide books, I’ll point out the good and the bad from our Christmas parade.

The U.S. Flag Code has plenty to say about parades, with explicit instructions for both those in the parade and those watching.

 Parade Participants

Section 7 of the Flag Code, titled Position and Manner of Display, begins by describing parade protocol for the flag.

The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag’s own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
(a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

(i) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

 

Parade Color Guard

The parade Color Guard led off with five flags. At first glance everything looks good, but if you’ll click the picture to see it larger, it isn’t. I can identify four of the flags, and have a guess to the fifth. They are displayed in this order: front row, U.S. flag, riding club flag, Texas flag, followed by a local flag, and the Mexican flag. I will give them credit for having the U.S. flag in the proper place, but the other four are wrong.

Using the U.S. Flag Code in conjunction with the Texas flag code, the flags should have been presented, in order; U.S. flag, Mexican flag,Texas flag, local flag, then the riding club flag.

My suggestion for the best way would be to present the U.S. flag in the lead with a line of the other four flags, in the order I assigned above, in a second row. That would be best the best way to showcase the American flag.

The Shriners marched their own Color Guard and all the flags were displayed in the right order.

The American flag is to parade right, with the Mexican National flag second, the Texas flag third, then their organization flag on the far left.

This is a positive example of a group taking the time to know and understand the proper display of all the flags involved. They didn’t have to display all four flags, but in doing so, it’s nice to see it done right.

The Shriners, with their variety of little cars and motorcycles participate in a lot of parades, and I applaud this organization for knowing proper flag protocol.

Float Displays

Local VFW Post #8573, which I wrote about on Veteran’s day, used a trailer as a float in the parade. The flags were mounted on the very back of the trailer and technically displayed correctly.

The U.S. flag is mounted in the center and higher than the other two flags. The Texas flag is displayed to the parade’s right (Texas flag code) and the POW-MIA flag to the parade’s left. This meets all the requirements of the U.S. and Texas Flag Codes.

Though their flag display is correct, I think it would be more fitting if the flags were mounted on the front of the trailer, leading the way forward—rather than riding drag (cattle drive reference).

Vehicle Displays

“Clamped to the right fender” is the correct way to display the U.S. flag on a vehicle according to the Flag Code. In the picture, you’ll notice the U.S. flag attached to the right fender and the Texas flag attached to the left fender on the fire truck.

The Texas Flag Code states,

§ 3100.064. DISPLAY ON FLAGSTAFF ON MOTOR VEHICLE. If the state flag is displayed on a flagstaff on a motor vehicle, the staff should be attached firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender. If the flag of the United States and the state flag are displayed on flagstaffs on a motor vehicle:

(1) the staff of the flag of the United States should be clamped to the right fender of the vehicle; and

(2) the staff of the state flag should be clamped to the left fender of the vehicle.

Most of the vehicles displayed the two flags properly.

Parade Watchers

The photograph at the top of the page shows not only the flags properly displayed, but in the background you’ll see two people respectfully holding the right hand held over the heart, which is correct. Section 9 of the Flag Code addresses this in detail.

Section 9 (in its entirety)

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

Now you know how to act at your next parade. And if you are in charge, make sure the lead Color Guard displays the flags right.

Also, if you get pictures of flags in your local Christmas parade, send them in with narrative and we’ll publish them for everyone’s enjoyment.

When we moved into our current location in July, and we put up new flags for the occasion. The old flags were laundered and set aside as replacements. They aren’t ready for retirement, but we wanted New flags at the New location. I guess you just had to be there. The flags we put up are the outdoor nylon American and Texas flag we sell in the flag store. They are holding up very well, with the exception of the loose threads that need to be tied and clipped.

About a month ago, the wind and rain caught us by surprise one day and bent one flagpole beyond repair. The weight of the soaked flag, plus the wind did it in. The flag was fine after drying. Since then, we have flown only the American flag in front of headquarters, and it looks a little lonely.

I don’t have my new flagpole installed yet, because the ground is rock where I want to put it—which I discovered a few weeks ago when I started digging by hand. I gave up after eight inches and an hour of effort.

The new pole requires a hole about two feet deep, then a receiving sleeve is set in concrete. The flagpole itself slips into and out of the sleeve as needed. It’s really quite ingenious. The flagpole can be slipped out of the sleeve and stored in a garage or taken to another location, making is very portable, yet an excellent stationary pole.

There is a man in our area who advertises all over with signs that read, “Holes – $10” and I’m thinking a telephone call is in order. Saving my back is worth more than the $10 this fellow charges for digging a hole. My neighbor said the man has a small tractor with a hole auger mounted on the back. I still don’t see how that will work with all the rocks, but for $10, I’m willing to find out.

Oh, about that flag report: Back in February, I wrote an article that included the needs of flags, including regular washing. Our flags are washed regularly, but now a few repairs are in order. Nothing major, but if not fixed now, it will ruin quickly.

There you have it, a personal recommendation of our flags directly from our experience here at Flags Bay.

This picture was taken a few blocks away, but it shows the dilemma of navigating around here. While driving down the main street, you will encounter a side street named Firefly Drive. About seventy-five yards on further … you come to the side street named Firefly Drive. If you turn down either of these, you eventually come to the intersection of Firefly Drive and Firefly Drive.

This photo was shot from my office window, and shows the twin fawns that are part of the herd. They stay close together most of the time, and momma doesn’t always show herself.

The deer still have a healthy fear of humans, but graze in the yards, near doors and windows. I’m thinking that might be a good thing. I figure, the more grass they graze on, the less I have to mow.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Deer have taken over this whole country, and they don’t appear to be afraid of humans. Gardens are out of the question, but my favorite part is that it cuts down on the mowing. After all, there’s always a bright side.

Background

Galveston Bay is a great place to live, and we have enjoyed our time here, but it is a long way from the rest of our family. We live here because of of a job promotion with a company that no longer exists. We stayed here because I like the warm winters and hot summers. (editor’s note: That means he hates to shovel snow.)

Foreground

A month ago, the opportunity to move closer to the family presented itself, and all the pieces quickly fell into place. We jumped at it!

Our granddaughter is growing so fast, and seeing her two or three times a year was just unacceptable. This move puts us within thirty miles of her (oh yeah, and her Mom and Dad—we missed them too)  

Still in Texas

We are relocating to Canyon Lake, which is in the Texas Hill Country. We’ll live on the south side of the man-made lake named—you guessed it—Canyon Lake. We aren’t especially close to the water, but from the front deck, standing on tiptoes, you can see a portion of the lake in the distance.

Deer run rampant and we noticed a pair of Road Runners around the place. The community of Canyon Lake sprawls around the water, similar to here in San Leon, but without the shrimp boats.

The main industry is Recreation provided by the lake and the Guadalupe River. Fishing and tubing bring in people from around the state, especially for long weekends and vacations. The slow moving river, with clear water and cool shade is perfect for an afternoon of relaxing and floating down river for twenty miles or so.

We are excited about this change in our lives, and should be back to normal in about a week. Thanks for your continued support.