Old Glory Question?

Should I fly the Flag that was on my Fathers Casket?

  • It would be disrespectful to fly this Flag.

    Votes: 3 6.5%

  • Fly it with Pride in your Country and Your Father.

    Votes: 23 50.0%

  • It is Your Personal Decision.

    Votes: 19 41.3%

  • Fly it and don't worry about what your family thinks.

    Votes: 1 2.2%
  • Total voters
    46
Hotwaterwizard

Hotwaterwizard

Hotsy Service Tech
I have a Question.

As you probably know Flags are in big demand right now.
I went to the Flea Market Today and saw bandanas that usually sell for $1 Selling for $20 just because they had something about Pride in America or the Flag on them.
I saw a cheep flag made in Pakastan that was mass produced printed on cheep fabric selling for $75-$90 depending on which Arab was selling them. Normaly they would sell for $5.
Wal-mart and K-mart are sold out.
The Army Navy Surplus Store sayes they will get a shipment from Overseas in 20 days. Their price will also be at a rediculous mark up.


Now here is my Question:

I have a real nice flag.
But ,I don't Know if it is appropriate to fly it.
It is the Flag that covered my Fathers Casket at his Funeral.
It was Presented to us by the US Air Force for the Military Funeral.
It was given as a memory of my Fathers Service to his Country.
He served in WW2 and the Korean War.
This flag is about 5ft x 7ft and the stripes are sewed on individualy.
The stars are embrordered on and it is a nice Flag.

Seams like it would be an honor to my Fathers service to fly this Beautiful Flag.
And an Honor to My Country to show my support by flying a Flag.
Should I fly this Flag?


__________________
Hotwaterwizard@aol.com If You have a problem with your machine, just ask I'll help if I can.
 
A flag does no good if it is not displayed. I would think that your father would be proud to have it flown at anytime, and especially at a time like right now. Just remember the old style flag etiquette.

Scott Stone
 
You should do what is in your heart and what you think your Dad would do!

Dave Olson
 
Here is something for those who can not find a flag to fly just cut it out tape it together and fly it with pride.
 

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Your decision......

For me, I would want to put that particular flag in a nice display case and save it for future generations.

I own the 1861 Springfield that my Great Grandfather carried at Second Bull Run during the Civil War. I only wish someone would have kept it in better shape than it is at the moment.

Food for thought.
 
i would fly it, just remember how to fold it back right when you put it away.
 
After thinking about this question, I would suggest this. Like others stated, you could make a nice shadowbox to display and pass down to family members or you can fly it proudly. But remember this, if you fly it proudly, after 6-months in the weather it will be faded, torn and more than likely totally ruined. I have a flag that had been flown over the Arizona in Pearl harbor the month before I retired from the US Navy. I requested this in honor of my father who served in WW2. Upon retiring from the US Navy my fellow shipmates had it put in a nice shadowbox for me to display and past down. It is your choice, but remember if I had taken mine out and flown it when I got it, it would be trash today. Good luck with your decision. Hugh
 
I found a real nice display case for my fathers burial flag at a trophy/engraving shop local to me.
The Honor Guards that did the folding of the flag and presented it to me graveside. They did so with such reverance that I myself could never unfold it.
But your thoughts are also sincere and meant to honor and respect...Interesting question...
 
They make display boxes for flags that are used in services - I would not fly the flag - you will never get it folded back the way you want. Nothing to say you can't fly it-it's up to you.
 
According to military.com this is what they say about burial flags:

Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to a friend making request for it. For those VA national Cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans buried in these national cemeteries may donate the burial flags of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.

So I would fly it on special holidays as some others had mention, including his birthday and possibly the day he passes away. I would not want to fly it for long because then it gets weathered and shabby. A case to store it in can be found easily for when you are not flying it.

Official Flag Etiquette: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
Includes tips for folding and displaying. States there is nothing against "code" for flying a burial flag.
 
This is a personal decision. My mother flew my fathers flag {He was killed in Iwo Jima} and it made my brother and I proud. We still have that old flag after more than 60 years and we are still proud.
 
Wiz I think if you want to fly the flag, fly it with pride. If it were me I would take my deer heads off the wall in my office and dispay it on the wall (just to preserve it from the elements).
If you feel pride in flying it, then I say fly it. I also like the idea of the shadow box also. Those make beautiful deco as well as conversation pieces when company is over. If it is flying outside company may think it is just another flag. Inside displayed people will ask about it.
Good luck with your decision.
 
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