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 Tech. Sgt. John Bankston of the U.S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center carefully lowers a flag into the fire for respectful destruction. (AEDC Photo by Philip Lorenz III) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
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Sometimes they even come inside to shake Richard Smith's hand and thank him for the display, he said.
Smith said that because his business deals with "a lot of really patriotic people", they decided to place a flag on the property.
Various members of the staff are either veterans or somehow connected to the military, and they decided to show their patriotism in a big way.
"If we're going to do it," Smith said, "let's do it right."
The U.S. will observe Flag Day on Saturday, a day to honor America's most precious symbol, and to learn about the proper etiquette for displaying and handling it.
There's more to flying a flag than meets the eye. Select Trailer owns three of the large flags -- one for display, one for reserve, and one that has been sent to a seamstress to be hemmed and repaired.
"They take a heck of a beating up there on that flagpole," he said.
One of the flags is loaned each year during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration to local Boy Scouts, who unfurl it on the infield during the patriotic celebration which opens one night's show.
It is also Boy Scouts -- Troop 370, led by Franklin and Keith Smith -- whom Smith entrusts to dispose of the flags respectfully when they have outlived their proper appearance.
The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard at Arnold Engineering Development Center also holds flag retirement ceremonies, according to an AEDC news release.
One of the honor guard's duties is to destroy unserviceable flags in a respectful and dignified manner. Community members, Boy Scouts and schools turn in faded, torn and damaged flags to the honor guard throughout the year to be retired in this manner.
Tech Sgt. John Bankston said it is important to the ceremony that no recognizable remnants of the flag remain after it is ceremonially burned.
The ceremonies are held at Camp Arrowhead, a Boy Scout facility near Woods Reservoir on the Arnold Air Force Base reservation.
Any individual or organization wanting to retire a U.S. flag may contact Bankston at (931) 454-5173.
But some people and organizations don't have a flag to begin with. Bedford County Veterans Service Officer Gordon Warren said that veterans' groups are happy to provide flags for public institutions who need them, and even give flags to individuals sometimes.
The groups also have provided small hand-held plastic flags to organizations like Bedford County Arts Council and South Side School, and provides them each year to the Boy Scouts to be handed out at the Veterans' Day Parade.
"People need to display the flag on Flag Day," said Warren.
TO LEARN MORE
Information about proper display of the flag is available at usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
I was pointing something out to the gentleman, I agree with alot of what he says. I was helping him "fit in". Now if you need some tips on maybe helping grandpat use his computer better, maybe you could suggest using the accessibility option that are built into Windows systems that enlarge text, icons etc.
But instead you get on here and tell me what etiquette is about instead of fixing the issue. Really, thanks for pointing out how etiquette works.
"It's a rule that someone has made up in relatively recent years."
Really? Been around for about 15 years that I been using the internet, I didn't know you were a internet historian, teach me more.
Even more important than flag ettiquette or "netiquette" (proper word or computer jargon?) is respect for other people. Sometimes there may be reasons that people use all or no caps when they type. Some people aren't familiar with "the rules", they just want to contribute; or sometimes it's easier for them due to age, eyesight or even typing skills?. So what is the big deal? It's a rule that someone has made up in relatively recent years.
Grandpat, type however you want. I agree with most of your comments. Keep 'em coming anyway that's easiest for you! Your own computer, your own style...Basic Human Rights 101.
See?
Sometimes a flag-burner is showing more respect toward what the banner stands for than those who leave a faded standard hanging in the rain.
We don't need to make idols out of our symbols but we do need to think how we can best honor the virtues behind the image.
grandpat,
That goes both ways, Did you know that using Caps Lock is considered Yelling? That's Basic Netiquette 101. Simply put, it is considered rude on the internet.
SEEMS LIKE ETIQUETTE SHOULD ALSO COVER SOMETHING ABOUT MANNERS AND POLITENESS TOO.WISH SOME COURSES WERE OFFERED AROUND HERE ABOUT BEING RESPECTFUL AND CIVIL TO OTHERS DURING THIS TRYING TIME.
A patch of an American flag sewn onto a piece of clothing should ALWAYS have the blue field forward. Start watching how often it is not.