[UtahMike]

I think all of us can agree that under most ordinary circumstances, the proper thing to do would be to destroy the flag in a proper manner. However, in this case, especially now that his son is back in the states, I think this father did the right thing and I like the idea of making a memorial out of it when the son finally arrives back home.

[rondog]

It's all a moot point, IMO. If the son is back in the states, that means he should be back home very soon, and the flag will be coming down very soon anyway. Therefore, his whining neighbors should STFU.

[Cross Hair]

I think Johnny Cash's Ragged Old Flag sums it up. Our flag is a symbol especially to our fighting troops. It SHOULD be respected, but when a certain flag takes on significant meaning, the worn shape of the flag reflects the sentiment behind that meaning and should be preserved once it has fulfilled its role in full ceremony.

This is a family of patriots were talking about here and I think both Dad & Son have earned that ragged old flag!

good post

[Coeloptera]

Quote:       Originally Posted by TexasT

People need to get over the petty stuff and let him fly his damn flag until his son comes home. There are bigger fish to fry and I can't believe somebody would take time out of their day to go harass this guy.

I find it amusing that the community here is debating it calmly and reasonably, considering various options and intent, while out where it actually is, we get busybodies.

Considering that, where the flag is concerned, there are no enforceable, legal requirements, and that technically, it's all etiquette, I suppose, after some thought, that intent should come into it.

I'm still of a mind that some mending might have been in order, though.

- Coeloptera

[DaTeacha]

...until no longer suitable or whatever the terminology says is kind of open ended.

There was a pilot held in prison in 'nam along with other fliers. He took it upon himself to collect scraps of cloth and secretly construct a very sorry replica of Old Glory. When it was done, he told his fellows and they gathered to say the Pledge. The commies caught them, desecrated and destroyed the flag, put the guy in solitary for some serious time. When he got out, he started making another one.

I would say that little flag made by that POW is worth more in terms of representing the spirit of this country than any of the gigantic ones you see flying over car stores. If the remnants could be found, they should be in a place of honor next to the original flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

This guys flag should be similarly respected. I wonder if he spotlighted it?

I have a friend who was in 'nam who flies his flag 24/7. I asked him about taking it down at night once. He replied that he fought for it, he killed for it, he was wounded while fighting for it, he still has shrapnel in his body from fighting for it, and he saw his friends die for it, and that anyone who wanted to try to take his flag down was going to have to go through him to do it.

Right On, Steve!

[thrillbilly]

Any flag is just a piece of cloth without having meaning put into it...This man's Flag is a true Ol' Glory, not just another red, white, and blue rectangle of nylon Made In China.
I fully support his decision to honor a promise to his son while his son fights for the very thing that make a American Flag so precious. As long as it is done with sincere meaning and not out of insolence or sloth I personally have zero problems with his decision.
I personally have 3 flags that are to worn for display...I can't bear the thought of destroying them...so I have them triangle folded and in display cases.

[thrillbilly]

On a side note. I have always revered the Stars and Stripes, one of my fondest memories was being in the Honor Guard in Elementary school. We ran the flag up the pole every morning and took it down every evening. I also remember saying the Pledge of Allegiance every morning as it was broadcast over the intercom, my nephews and nieces schools do not do this...I feel they are missing out. My Dad is a "macho" type, I hardly ever remember him displaying much emotion...but I vividly remember his eyes glistening with tears when Old Glory would circle the arena at rodeos while The National Anthem played, very sobering stuff for me to see him publicly cry at the sight of the Flag he served under.

Say what you will about freedom of speech/expression...while I understand intellectually, my heart doesn't agree. I am very glad I haven't seen anyone trying to burn a flag, I would go to jail.

[captsquirrel]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Coeloptera

I find it amusing that the community here is debating it calmly and reasonably, considering various options and intent, while out where it actually is, we get busybodies. Considering that, where the flag is concerned, there are no enforceable, legal requirements, and that technically, it's all etiquette, I suppose, after some thought, that intent should come into it. I'm still of a mind that some mending might have been in order, though. - Coeloptera

The only problem with mending it is taking it down to do so. He promised to leave it up until his son came home. Taking it down to mend it would break that promise.