What is the proper etiquette to show respect for the flag?

[MobBoss]

A spinoff of this thread here: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=333822&page=13

As was pointed out in that thread, the customs and courtesies to be rendered to the flag during the National Anthem is indeed part of the US Code.

A soldier in uniform should salute the flag, and a civilian should place their hand over their heart.

Another part of the discussion was the (in)famous picture of Obama not doing that very thing during the anthem. However, this was countered with various pictures of him doing precisely so at several other events.

I tend to view that as being similar to the Bush, mid-belly, salute.....in other words, just a bad photo op moment. Most likely, Obama just had something else on his mind and didnt realize he wasnt executing proper etiquette. Ditto with Bush.

However, that doesnt change the fact of what 'should' happen. What should occur is precisely what is proscribed in US Code. Just because some people choose to ignore proper etiquette isnt an indicator that its not the right thing to do.

So, what do you do to show respect for your nations flag during your national anthem? If not from the USA, what is your countries custom for courtesy to the flag? Discuss and poll forthcoming.

Oh, and since I hear the anthem usually in uniform, I salute.

 

[Truronian]

I don't have respect for my nation's flag...

 

[Mise]

I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for flags

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Me neither, it's been hijacked by the far right.

You can get American flag toilet roll though off the internet.

 

[MobBoss]

So you folks dont respect your flag because you dont respect your country anymore, correct?

 

[ParadigmShifter]

I lost a lot of respect when they joined your country in invading Iraq.

And BNP thugs use it on their hateful propaganda.

You do know the flag isn't the country, don't you?

 

[Karalysia]

The Supreme Court has spoken.

There is, moreover, no indication -- either in the text of the Constitution or in our cases interpreting it -- that a separate juridical category exists for the American flag alone. Indeed, we would not be surprised to learn that the persons who framed our Constitution and wrote the Amendment that we now construe were not known for their reverence for the Union Jack. The First Amendment does not guarantee that other concepts virtually sacred to our Nation as a whole -- such as the principle that discrimination on the basis of race is odious and destructive -- will go unquestioned in the market-place of ideas. We decline, therefore, to create for the flag an exception to the joust of principles protected by the First Amendment.


http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/texasvjohnson.html

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319U.S. 624, 63 S. Ct. 1178, 87 L. Ed. 1628 (1943), the Court reversed itself and overturned a West Virginia law that compelled public school children to salute the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

In a 6–3 decision, the Court struck down the resolution because it contravened the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Justice ROBERT JACKSON, in his majority opinion, wrote that the resolution violated the students' freedom of speech and freedom of religion. "The very purpose of a Bill of Rights," the Court explained, is "to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities… ."The Court emphasized that under the BILL OF RIGHTS, neither freedom of speech nor freedom of worship may be curtailed by the popular vote of a legislative assembly, unless it is through the amendment process set forth in Article V of the U.S. Constitution, and then only with the approval of three-fourths of the states.

Read more: http://law.jrank.org/pages/6931/Flag-Salute-Cases.html#ixzz0Q50cm6Px

 

[Mise]

The Union flag cured my diabetes

 

[Adria]

I stand and remove my hat on the very rare occasion that I wear one.

As far as I'm aware, correct custom for civilians in Canada is to stand and remove your hat if wearing one. There's no particular hand/arm placement that I'm aware of.

I'm not entirely sure about the military customs though - I can find out tonight when I get home if you're interested.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

A spinoff of this thread here: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=333822&page=13

As was pointed out in that thread, the customs and courtesies to be rendered to the flag during the National Anthem is indeed part of the US Code.

A soldier in uniform should salute the flag, and a civilian should place their hand over their heart.

Another part of the discussion was the (in)famous picture of Obama not doing that very thing during the anthem. However, this was countered with various pictures of him doing precisely so at several other events.

I tend to view that as being similar to the Bush, mid-belly, salute.....in other words, just a bad photo op moment. Most likely, Obama just had something else on his mind and didnt realize he wasnt executing proper etiquette. Ditto with Bush.

However, that doesnt change the fact of what 'should' happen. What should occur is precisely what is proscribed in US Code. Just because some people choose to ignore proper etiquette isnt an indicator that its not the right thing to do.

So, what do you do to show respect for your nations flag during your national anthem? If not from the USA, what is your countries custom for courtesy to the flag? Discuss and poll forthcoming.

Oh, and since I hear the anthem usually in uniform, I salute.

You forgot an option for "I stand and remove my hat." I do not place my hand over my heart usually, though I've given to doing it randomly. Respect for my country, but disapproval of where it has been led.

 

[CaptainF]

I might stand up...I sure as hell ain't putting my hand over my heart!

 

[MobBoss]

I lost a lot of respect when they joined your country in invading Iraq.

And BNP thugs use it on their hateful propaganda.

You do know the flag isn't the country, don't you?

The flag is a symbol of the country, thus it represents it. As such, you do know that the flag stands for more than simply just those currently in power right?

The Supreme Court has spoken.

That was in reference to pledge. I am talking about the National Anthem.

You forgot an option for "I stand and remove my hat." I do not place my hand over my heart usually, though I've given to doing it randomly. Respect for my country, but disapproval of where it has been led.

Since your then supposed to place that hat/hand combo over your heart feel free to have it inclusive of that option.

I might stand up...I sure as hell ain't putting my hand over my heart!

Why not?

 

[Truronian]

So you folks dont respect your flag because you dont respect your country anymore, correct?

I dislike the whole patriotism shtick, plus respect something I like to reserve for people.

 

[kulade]

Burn it.

Not as a statement, just to troll people.

 

[Mise]

I learnt more from flags than I ever learnt in school

 

[Joecoolyo]

I place my hand over my heart whenever when doing the pledge or the anthem (I don't actually say the pledge, I just put my hand over my heart). Because doing other wise (i.e. sitting there, or just standing) seems weird.

 

[Formaldehyde]

So you folks dont respect your flag because you dont respect your country anymore, correct?

No, I think it's because we don't respect the way you try to spin everything and resurrect threads closed for obvious reasons.

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Since your then supposed to place that hat/hand combo over your heart feel free to have it inclusive of that option.

Well I also remove my hat as a sign of respect when I enter private buildings or houses, as well as to respect any number of other things, so I simply remove my hat out of respect for the flag and the anthem, but I don't always place it over my heart, more often hold it behind my back while standing.

 

[JollyRoger]

1 Jn 5:21 (NIV) Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

1 Cor 10:14 (NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

 

[Formaldehyde]

You are both clearly evil people for disagreeing with his own personal opinion and the "US Code", which is nothing more than a suggestion about the etiquette and was created in January 2008 as part of the attempt to prohibit flag burning yet again.