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The Flag

September 11th, 2011

Today is the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and no doubt we all have distinct memories from that time and the weeks following even though it was ten years ago. What I remember most was seeing American flags everywhere: on every house, on every lamp post, in every business. There was a deep sense of patriotism in the air and it was palatable.

I’ve always been a flag person, even when I was a little girl. When we lived in Colombia I made sure to hang the Colombian flag over the balcony for every holiday. Hanging a flag was one of the first things we did when we purchased our first home. I never let my flag get too tattered, replacing it every year or two. For most holidays I have a few other small flags that get put out in the flowerbeds as well. When my current flag needs replaced I plan on purchasing a nice one with stitched stripes and embroidered stars like this one from Valley Forge. I also need to get a small spotlight to shine on my flag at night, I’ve been wondering if a solar spotlight would shine all night long. (anyone have experience with these?) Mr Chiots is also requesting an Ohio State flag be flown here at Chiot’s Run.

In flying a flag at a private residence, all of the relevant guidelines in the Flag Code should be followed. It should be flown at night only if illuminated and in inclement weather only if made of all-weather material. The flag should be clean and without tears, rips or shredding. The flag may also be hung vertically from a window, roof eave, or other structural overhang. Traditionally flags are flown on homes on these special holidays.

New Year’s Day – January 1
Martin Luther King Day – Third Monday in January
Inauguration Day – January 20
Lincoln’s Birthday – February 12
Washington’s Birthday – Third Monday in February
Easter Sunday (date is variable)
Mother’s Day – Second Sunday in May
Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff) – May 15
Armed Forces Day – Third Saturday in May
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) – Last Monday in May
Flag Day – June 14
Father’s Day – Third Sunday in June
Independence Day – July 4
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day – July 27 (added January 6, 2009)
Labor Day — First Monday in September
Patriot Day (half-staff) September 11
Constitution Day – September 17
Gold Star Mothers Day – Last Sunday in September
Firefighters Memorial Day (half-staff) – Sunday before or on October 9th
Columbus Day – Second Monday in October
Navy Day – October 27
Election Day – First Tuesday in November
Veterans Day – November 11
Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday in November
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff) – December 7
Christmas Day – December 25
State Birthdays

In case you’ve never read the standards of respect for the flag, I thought I’d list them here today.

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.

You’ll find a flag flying on most days here at Chiot’s Run. We’re very proud of our wonderful country and flying a flag is how we try to display our patriotism. Some day I plan on having either pleated fan flags on my front porch or small 3 Finger Aluminum Bracket to display flags on each of my porch posts on the holidays listed above. Since I would love to see more flags flying not only in my town but in every town, I have two Valley Forge 2 1/2 x 4 foot Flag to give away. Comment below and I’ll choose a winner next Sunday.

Do you fly a flag in your garden or home?

35 Comments to “The Flag”
  1. Jill on September 11, 2011 at 5:55 am

    I’d love to have a nice flag for my home. Pride in our country and its flag, at least, is something I think we can all agree on.

    Reply to Jill's comment

  2. daisy on September 11, 2011 at 6:04 am

    We already have a flag, so I’m not entering the giveaway. Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this post. Flags displayed in a neighborhood give me chills! (That’s a good thing!)

    Reply to daisy's comment

    • Susy on September 11, 2011 at 9:57 am

      I’m with you there – I too get chills when I am out and about and see flags flying!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  3. dkswife on September 11, 2011 at 7:14 am

    We fly a flag on the front of our balcony. I would love to win another one to fly on our property.

    Reply to dkswife's comment

  4. Melanie J. on September 11, 2011 at 7:18 am

    What a lovely post! Haven’t bought a flag yet, but would love one to hang on my porch until we get a real home. Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply to Melanie J.'s comment

  5. Sonya C on September 11, 2011 at 7:43 am

    This year has been out first year flying a flag. I wanted my kids to appreciate the freedoms that they have in this country, while they are still free! It has been an awesome way to study the US, what the the colors & stars mean, who, when why, it was written, states added, etc…The men and women who served, AND who Continue to serve and fight for our freedoms, (which include both my parents and husband!) Now we are studying what those freedoms are & why people flocked here to have/be a part of them. We live in such an amazing Country! Let’s not take it for granted!

    Reply to Sonya C's comment

  6. goatpod2 on September 11, 2011 at 7:59 am

    No flag here, we used to hang a bunting type flag on our porch though.

    Amy

    Reply to goatpod2's comment

  7. Songbirdtiff on September 11, 2011 at 8:01 am

    I don’t have one, but I should. We are thankful to live in an abundantly blessed country and there are many service men in hubbys family.

    Reply to Songbirdtiff's comment

  8. viggie on September 11, 2011 at 8:23 am

    I fly mine on holidays and would love such a nice one. What a wonderful gesture.

    Reply to viggie's comment

  9. Mike on September 11, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Would love to win the flag. My wife and I were saying just the other day that we really needed to display our patriotism. Love your blog!

    Reply to Mike's comment

  10. Kaytee on September 11, 2011 at 9:37 am

    I’ve been meaning to buy a flag. I have a flag pole and our house came with a bracket on the front porch, I just haven’t purchased one yet (plus, good ones tend to me pricey and I always seem to choose food over a flag).

    Reply to Kaytee's comment

  11. Fawn on September 11, 2011 at 9:43 am

    I would love to receive the flag!

    Reply to Fawn's comment

  12. KimH on September 11, 2011 at 10:20 am

    Love this post.. We used to have a large flag that hung on a giant tree in our front yard, but it was sadly removed about 10 years ago and we never found another place for one.
    This year, I have been putting up a very small one above our doorway most of the time.
    I love our flag and always will..

    Reply to KimH's comment

  13. risa on September 11, 2011 at 10:41 am

    I have my dad’s Coast Guard flag. It had flown on the stern of the USCGS Champlain while on convoy duty and was given to him when the ship, with nine other cutters, was given to Britain via lend-lease. http://www.themaritimeguardians.com/images/Vessels/cutters/High/Lake.jpg

    He is 94.

    Reply to risa's comment

    • Susy on September 11, 2011 at 11:18 am

      How wonderful that you have such a meaningful flag!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  14. canned Quilter on September 11, 2011 at 11:39 am

    Like you I love flags and as a child remember we had a flag pole i our front yard with the American flag flying. My Dad (ex military) put it up and took it down everyday. On holidays he flew the flag given to him when my uncle was killed in Okinawa Bay.

    Reply to canned Quilter's comment

  15. Sara on September 11, 2011 at 11:41 am

    I don’t currently own a flag, but would love to have one to display on the front of my house. Many other homes on the street fly them and I just love it. They are gorgeous to see and give me such a good feeling of patriotism!

    Reply to Sara's comment

  16. Kristen @ More Than Mulberries on September 11, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    I had a flag that I used to fly every chance I could. I love that most of my neighbors have flags out also! Sadly our pole broke earlier this year due to high winds and I need to replace the flag. My house has looked sad without it this summer.

    I love this post – I think hanging a flag out front just makes a house feel more like “home.” Aren’t we so lucky to live here?

    Reply to Kristen @ More Than Mulberries's comment

  17. Bekki on September 11, 2011 at 1:43 pm

    We normally have a flag flying every day. However I just noticed a tear in one of the stripes. So I am on the search for a one one and taking hte old one to be disposed of properly.

    Reply to Bekki's comment

  18. Gayle on September 11, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    We have always flown a flag. Our is starting to show it’s wear so it would be lovely to fly your flag at our farm. Thank you for being someone that I visit every day.

    Reply to Gayle's comment

  19. Kelly on September 11, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    I’m Canadian, living in America and my boys (7 and 4) were born here in the USA. I have a big, beautiful Canadian flag that I’d like to hang but don’t feel right doing so unless there’s an American flag to fly with it, to represent both sides of my family’s heritage (not to mention the respect due the country we live in). That Valley Forge flag is just lovely, and I’d be honoured to have one.

    Reply to Kelly's comment

  20. Sincerely, Emily on September 11, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    I would love to be included in a chance to win the flag. This summer as the holidays have passed by, each time I say to myself that I want to get a flag, and still I don’t have one. The flag you have in your photo on your porch is spectacular. Emily

    Reply to Sincerely, Emily's comment

  21. Deborah~jean on September 11, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    I absolutley love a flag displayed with a spot light on a slightly windy day….gives me goosebumps. Something wee have talked about getting for years and never have squeezed it into the budget,,,,would absolutley be honored to win this giveaway:) I enjoyed your vacation as well…LoL!We have just been on a couple in our entire 24 year marriage so enjoyed following along on yours:)

    Reply to Deborah~jean's comment

  22. Jaspenelle on September 11, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    I do not remember were I was on 9/11. I was 15 years old and lived in Spain at the time. I tend to just keep quiet on days like today. Everyone else seems to have a memory…

    We do not fly the flag though my husband has spoken about getting one now that we are shopping for our first home. I am not American so I guess I am ambivalent about it. I know the flag code though and always notice when flags do not follow it. I suppose it bothers me because it seems like a poor attempt at patriotism.

    Reply to Jaspenelle's comment

  23. bonnie on September 11, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    We don’t have a flag displayed, but my husband has in storage the one he was given for serving in Vietnam.

    Reply to bonnie's comment

  24. kirsten on September 12, 2011 at 9:43 am

    we are in need of a new flag for our house. My husband is a veteran – on 9/11, he had just returned from basic training and AIT, and watched the towers fall on the tv in his recruiter’s office. he went on to complete 2 deployments to Iraq. we will always have a flag flying at our house…above our Penn State flag. =)

    Reply to kirsten's comment

  25. Tommy on September 12, 2011 at 11:21 am

    I also love having a flag out on our property. You don’t see too many of them here in our neighborhood, which I think is sad. People seem apathetic about flying the flag nowadays.

    Reply to Tommy's comment

  26. anotherkindofdrew on September 12, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    In my past I have disregarded the flag. Even as a son, grandson, and great-grandson of men (and a woman) who served our nation in both peace and battle, I thought little of it. During my college years I developed a distaste for it passing it off as a symbol of fascism and corporate greed. I held no appreciation for its true meaning and its power to unite a nation of people. But in recent years as I continue to develop a more precious love for people, relationship, land, sustainability, and family, I realize that the flag is a symbol of what men felt in their hearts. It was how we as a nation show our basic desires. It is not about loss or war or conquer. It is about hope and legacy and freedom. I would be honored to fly a flag from Chiot’s Run right here at Tiny r(E)volution !

    Reply to anotherkindofdrew's comment

  27. Amanda on September 12, 2011 at 6:43 pm

    I have never flown a flag at my house. But I would love too. I love this country and the endless possibilities. I have been following your blog for months and I love what you are doing on your own property and hope one day to be able to have half the garden you do. I hope to one day be able to provided most of my families food from our own garden. I envy you! Thanks for the opportunity to enter this giveaway!

    Reply to Amanda's comment

  28. holly on September 12, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    Thank you for this post. A lot of people are unaware of the proper customs and courtesies of hanging an American flag. My husband and I flew Blackhawks in Afghanistan in 2006 and we carried many flags for families and friends back in the States. We have a few that we have kept for ourselves, and they are very special to us.

    Reply to holly's comment

  29. Juli on September 13, 2011 at 12:42 am

    Hi, just wanted to answer your question on the solar light. I don’t have any spotlights but we have a lot of solar lights around our yard. In the summer they will stay lit all night long, as long as they’re in a spot where they get sunlight most of the day. In the winter, they don’t last quite so long! We live in Wisconsin, so we’re not too much north of you.

    Reply to Juli's comment

    • Susy on September 13, 2011 at 6:27 am

      Thanks so much for the info.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  30. Jennifer Krieger on September 13, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    We fly a flag.
    An Ohio State flag would be good, my husband could certainly get behind that. Go Bucks!
    Jenny

    Reply to Jennifer Krieger's comment

  31. aubrey hannig on September 14, 2011 at 7:44 am

    We also love our flat to be out and show our love and appreciation for our Country, a Valley Forge flag would be a welcome guest at our home!!

    Reply to aubrey hannig's comment

  32. Jace on May 26, 2012 at 1:23 pm

    I bought this one earlier this spring from Amazon when we got a new flag: Malibu 8501-0604-01 Solar Spotlight, Black.

    It is still on when I get up in about 3-4 in the AM so I assume it makes it most of the night. Might not last as long in the winter though.

    Reply to Jace's comment

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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.

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