Flag conundrum

[Bugkiller99]

I ordered a package of made in USA bandanas. Red, white and blue.

Well, now they have arrived, and I have a problem. They are not simply red, white and blue. They are a flag. Yep, 50 stars, blue field, 13 stripes, US Flag.

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think these should be worn as clothing. I am wrong, or just being silly?

What do you think?

 

[WuzzFuzz]

But military can wear a flag patch on their shoulder. Some police depts.


WuzzFuzz

 

[Rustyt1953]

I see nothing disrespectful at all. In fact, it would scream: " that's right! I'm an American! "

 

[Catwrangler]

A uniform patch Is vastly different !
(Rhetorical question) If I sewed a flag on the butt of my jeans, would that scream I'M AN AMERICAN and you can kiss my a_ _?

 

[Jon651]

I ordered a package of made in USA bandanas. Red, white and blue.

Well, now they have arrived, and I have a problem. They are not simply red, white and blue. They are a flag. Yep, 50 stars, blue field, 13 stripes, US Flag.

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I don’t think these should be worn as clothing. I am wrong, or just being silly?

What do you think?

If I recall my flag code correctly, you cannot make an article of clothing from an American flag; you can, however, wear an article of clothing that looks like the American flag.

If these bandanas are made from actual flags then that would be improper; if these bandanas were only made to look like an American flag then that is OK. It's a subtle but meaningful difference.

 

[Rustyt1953]

A uniform patch Is vastly different !
(Rhetorical question) If I sewed a flag on the butt of my jeans, would that scream I'M AN AMERICAN and you can kiss my a_ _?

As if anyone here would actually do that.

 

[CH4]

I see nothing disrespectful at all. In fact, it would scream: " that's right! I'm an American! "

Couldn’t agree more!!!
I have several items of clothes, including a bandana that’s bears the likeness of old glory. I usually wear it with great pride when riding the Harley.

What also brings a smile to my face is when I am in other counties,e.g., China, Vietnam, Thailand, Europe, India, etc., I see the folks wearing clothes that bear the Stars and Stripes. In fact, the other day I saw a filipina in Meteo-Manila wearing an American flag T-shirt and gave her a thumbs up.

I even have guns adorned with Old Glory and I often proudly carry it! It’s all about the intent/motives of the person displaying it

 

[Stevens]

I think of a bandanna as a large handkerchief, used to soak up or wipe off sweat, maybe even blow you're nose, sneeze, or cough, into.
I wouldn't wear, use, one that looks like our Flag.
Fix it to a stick and wave in a parade or celebration YES!
Steve W

 

[Kanewpadle]

Its not like you made the masks out of a flag. Don’t worry about it. If people don’t like it, cough on them.

 

[CB3]

I voted yes to wear them.

As a BSA Scoutmaster for over 28 years, I taught the US Flag Code to hundreds of scouts. The “etiquette” prescribed by the code is not law and is followed only voluntarily out of respect. It’s like the suggestions for good manners. It was formulated in 1942 and to my knowledge has not been updated.

Strict observance of the Code would derail a large proportion of the current uses of the flag.

“The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on paper napkins or boxes, nor used as any portion of a costume.”

Stylized uses of the flag with different colors or specialized patterns are discouraged.

Today, parts of the Code are outdated and there are many respectful variances from the Code that are common. There are also some really terrible, disrespectful uses and representations out there.

Let your good judgment and respect for our nation’s flag dictate your etiquette.

 

[Imissedagain]

It's the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.


Colt Pics circa 1980.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

OP was right. Surprised he even asked.

 

[78bagger]

And op says they're made in USA. That's a win.

 

[ladder13]

There’s bigger fish to fry.

 

[Onomea]

I appreciate the distinction made by Jon651 in post 5. It is not one that would have occurred to me, but, hearing it, I recognize it as commonsensical.

 

[lrrifleman]

Gentlemen and ladies,

Personally, I get very upset when I see the American flag used as an article of clothing. I was taught to respect my flag, as I am teaching my children. Whether the law on this is outdated or not, this is the law/code which governs the use of our flag: 4 U.S. Code SS 8 - Respect for flag | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute.

 

[Deuce Caboose]

A uniform patch Is vastly different !
(Rhetorical question) If I sewed a flag on the butt of my jeans, would that scream I'M AN AMERICAN and you can kiss my a_ _?

In my hometown, way back in the ‘60’s, some kid did just that, and was promptly arrested. It made national news. You see, it was a respect thing...for the flag. That officer enjoyed a long and respected career in law enforcement, which augmented his military service.

 

[UncleEd]

By asking, the OP already reveals he is uncertain
and that uncertainly prompts a "no" toward using
them in this age of the virus as a snot rag.

 

[BC38]

I wouldn't, out of respect for what the flag stands for.
If it has 13 red & white stripes and 50 stars in a field of navy blue it is a flag in my eyes, whether it was made to be flown or not.

 

[handejector]

I hate to see the flag worn as clothing, used as a towel, or worn as a cape as so many Olympic athletes like to do on their victory lap.
All of the above violate the Flag Code. Don't believe me. Read the Code- U.S. Flag Code | Military.com


and you will see:
§8. Respect for flag

1. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
2. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
3. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
4. The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
5. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
6. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
7. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

Just a pet peeve from an old man who remembers when it was a high honor to be allowed to raise the flag at my grammar school.
We were actually taught the flag code. The key parts, anyway. Just seems like one of those old values lost to time and snowflakes.
Happy Easter, and God Bless the USA!

 

[handejector]

If I recall my flag code correctly, you cannot make an article of clothing from an American flag; you can, however, wear an article of clothing that looks like the American flag.

If these bandanas are made from actual flags then that would be improper; if these bandanas were only made to look like an American flag then that is OK. It's a subtle but meaningful difference.

The design IS the flag. Anything with the design of the flag is a flag. A paper napkin is obviously not a real flag and was never intended to be, so the design should not be even printed or impressed.....

The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.

 

[BC38]

Anybody remember the scene at the reflecting pool in the movie Forest Gump?
Forest made the shocked observation that Abby Hoffman was "wearing a shirt made out of an American flag!"
Unfortunately, these days most people wouldn't even bat an eye at that, but in the late '60s it was positively shocking - precisely because it showed such disrespect for the flag.
I thought it was interesting that the movie made that subtle point - that at that time, even a person with a low IQ would know that such a thing was disrespectful.
Or at least that was my interpretation of Forest's comment in that scene.

 

[eveled]

One time a long time ago. I almost knocked myself out. Full disclosure I was very drunk and the passenger in a car.

I saw a guy running with American flag shorts on. I stuck my head out the window to yell at him. But the window was closed. Not my proudest moment.

Point is even in an inebriated state I realized it is wrong to wear a flag on a sweaty butt. A bandana is no different.

 

[Puller]

A uniform patch Is vastly different !
(Rhetorical question) If I sewed a flag on the butt of my jeans, would that scream I'M AN AMERICAN and you can kiss my a_ _?

How about this . . .

 

[vigil617]

What really sticks in my craw is when I see someone wearing an image of the flag as an article of clothing in the context of an expression of their "patriotism."

A true patriot would never dream of doing such a thing.

True patriots show their love of this country by respecting the emblem that survived that terrible night at Fort McHenry....that Marines raised at a horrific cost over Mount Suribachi...that flies with such honor over our national institutions and military bases and vessels...that is so carefully folded and presented to survivors of our fallen heroes...and that "yet waves over the land of the free and the home of the brave."

 

[vigil617]

How about this . . .

Bozo's underwear is not a flag.

 

[eveled]

No not like like Rockies more like these. Rockies aren’t flag like at all. Even though the ones I posted aren’t actually a flag they are too flag like to be in good taste. IMHO. Like vigil617 says it’s not Patriotic at all.

The conundrum is that I believe and support their right to disrespect the flag if they choose too.

 

[Rule3]

What annoys me and the use of the Flag is BUBBAS riding down the road in the red neck jacked up tucks ,with an American Flag and a Confederate Flag on poles in the bed of the truck getting ripped up from going yo MPH down the road, hitting the sides and bed of the truck.

 

[CB3]

So, do these interpretations disrespect the Flag Code? Technically, yes. Practically, no.

 

[BC38]

No not like like Rockies more like these. Rockies aren’t flag like at all. Even though the ones I posted aren’t actually a flag they are too flag like to be in good taste. IMHO. Like vigil617 says it’s not Patriotic at all.

The conundrum is that I believe and support their right to disrespect the flag if they choose too.

Exactly. Like a lot of things I see as disrespectful or wrong, their right to freedom means I have to tolerate it.
You can burn your flag, just don't try disrespecting the flag I own. You don't have that right.