January 30, 2007

Gratuitious Flag Etiquette Observation

Hanging Flags.gif

(Image borrowed from the American Legion.)

Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1, Section 7(i) states:

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.

Obviously, I've no trouble with the horizontal display. But the vertical display is counter-intuitive to me. If the flag were to swing down from the horizontal to the vertical, the union would be in the upper right from the point of view of the observer. Hung as the rules dictate, with the union remaining to the observer's left, it looks backwards. Or so I've always felt.

I toss this out because I'm trying to untangle the logic of a very sloppy court decision and keep glancing up at a photo containing a flag hung vertically to code and the two together are irritating me.

Posted by Robert at January 30, 2007 04:26 PM | TrackBack
Comments

However, US flag patches on a soldier's uniform sleeve (Or a LEO's) must have the blue toward the soldier's front side, indicating that the flag is always advancing, and never retreating. So, if the patch is on the soldiers right arm, it would be exactly the other way around from your illustrations.

Posted by: Hucbald at January 30, 2007 08:57 PM

Reminds me of the episode of "All In The Family" where Archie hangs a U.S. flag on his door to hide a swastika that was erroneously painted on it by vandals.

A boy scout (in full uniform) comes to the door to tell him he's got it hanging wrong (notwithstanding Archie's insistence that it was they way they used to hang it back when he served back in Dubya Dubya Two - the Big One).

Posted by: Gary at January 31, 2007 10:34 AM

Round here businesses often leave them flying all night without illumination. Most improper and disrespectful, and almost as irritating to me as people pronouncing the "t" in often.

I seem to be swept up in a flood of spam. Or maybe, I am spam. Spam, spam, spam, wonderful spam.

Posted by: Ralph L. at February 4, 2007 08:24 AM

Just remember, the union goes to the upper left. (usually) Unless the upper left is rearward, then it goes to the right (as mentioned above). Well, unless it's on a casket, in which case the union goes over the left shoulder, or the viewer's right.

Posted by: AughtSix at February 6, 2007 05:45 AM