This site is an archive of ChiotsRun.com. For the latest information about Susy and her adventrures, visit the Cultivate Simple site.
Thank you for all your support over the years!

Betsy Ross at Chiot’s Run

April 25th, 2009

It’s that time of the year again to put up Old Glory at Chiot’s Run. I always love to have a flag in the garden, it is a constant remind of what a wonderful country we live in.
tattered-flag
My flag was a quite tattered from spending the summer outside last year so it was time for a new one. I have a special flag pole that doesn’t allow the flag to wrap itself around it, but in order to attach a new flag I had to cut the loop off of the old flag and attach it to the new one.
stitching-flag
Not a difficult task for someone who started making Barbie clothes at the age of 10. So I pulled out my sewing machine and stiched up the new flag to fit the current flag pole.
stitching-flag-2
Obviously Dexter does not know proper flag etiquette since he draped himself in the flag, I suppose he’s seen it on TV too many times to know it’s not proper.
cat-draped-in-us-flag
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.

flag-disposal
I wasn’t really up for burning my tattered flag, so I decided to take it to my local local American Legion. Ours has this handy flag disposal box out front so that’s where our flag went. Most American Legion’s have a special ceremony to properly dispose of the flags on June 14, which is flag day.
retiring-flag
My new flag should last a year or two, proclaiming my love for this wonderful country and decorating my gardens.
flag-in-the-garden
Is you garden patriotic? Do you have a flag flying?

6 Comments to “Betsy Ross at Chiot’s Run”
  1. Mangochild on April 25, 2009 at 5:22 am

    No flag or other hanging, but I do think that gardens go beyond any country or outlook, that they are just something that soothes and excites people from everywhere in one way or the other…. I’d welcome anyone!

    Mangochild’s last blog post.. A New Series: Growing Pleasures

    Reply to Mangochild's comment

  2. Maureen on April 25, 2009 at 11:48 am

    I LOVE this idea. I think i’d like to put one up to remind me to say a little prayer for our servicemen (and women) especially since we now have one in the family.

    I putting up a flag this week!

    Maureen’s last blog post.. The Reason I ALWAYS have Dirt under my Fingernails

    Reply to Maureen's comment

  3. Renee on April 25, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Last week, we bought a new flag from Costco for very inexpensive. It is nicer than our previous two – the new one is sewn and has embroidered stars. I hung it Wednesday, and the neighbor walked by and asked “What’s the occasion?” No occasion – we just needed to replace our tattered flag. We have had a flag flying at our home since 9/11. I hope to always have a flag flying.

    Renee’s last blog post.. Building the Raised Beds

    Reply to Renee's comment

    • Susy on April 26, 2009 at 8:35 am

      I would like to buy a really nice one as well next year. I might get a proper flag pole as well, instead of the one that attaches to the porch porch.

      I have a flag flying all spring/summer/fall. I love seeing when I drive up. I also have a bunch of smaller flags that I put out on holidays.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  4. Sinfonian on April 26, 2009 at 3:38 am

    I don’t have one flying in my garden, as it is in the backyard. The flag goes in the front yard.

    One thing you didn’t mention, is that the Boy Scouts are one of the few organizations that are authorized to properly destroy flags. I had the honor to be a part of such a ceremony as a youth. My flag could use to be retired. I will have to contact my local troop. It will be good to get information on them as my boys are getting close to being able to join the Cub Scouts!

    Sinfonian’s last blog post.. April 25, 2009

    Reply to Sinfonian's comment

    • Susy on April 26, 2009 at 8:33 am

      I’ve heard the Boy Scouts do it. It’s so great that there’s still the reverence there to do things like this. I think this is such a great idea for them to get involved. It’s such an important lesson for kids to learn!

      Reply to Susy's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

Admin
Read previous post:
The Democratic Front Lawn

"Deeply ingrained within the American phyche is the stereotype I call "The Democratic Front Lawn." This type of lawn is...

Close