Found a black, US type flag in our daughters stuff. Neither of us want it and wonder about the proper way to dispose of it? If it was a real US flag I would know, but being all black I do not feel it is. More like a novelty item. Any suggestions?
Not sure what you mean by a "Black Flag". If nothing else, what about burning it?
Photo?
Photo?
It is a death flag. It means no quarter given.
If it has a blue stripe it is a mourning flag for police. Red stripe for firemen.
If it has a blue stripe it is a mourning flag for police. Red stripe for firemen.
Keeps the bugs away...
If it is an actual American flag, just in a subdued color, it should be retired with the same respect as a full color flag. I have a flag that is black and gray with one blue stripe, referencing to the Thin Blue Line.
I have a retirement ceremony every year for my full color flag that I fly at my home 24/7. We usually do it during my grandson's birthday party, which we are doing this weekend. This will be the 4th year of us doing so.
We build a big fire, everybody roasts wieners and marshmallows, then after everyone is finished eating, I take the flag down, my grandson helps me fold it properly as best we can.
We then gather by the fire, I then hold the flag, share with everybody what the flag and America means to me, then I give all who want to, an opportunity to share what the flag and America means to them.
After all who want to share, I say a prayer, then we give the pledge of allegiance and play taps as Old Glory is gingerly and softly placed into the fire.
Two years ago, we did a double ceremony, retiring my US Navy flag that I flown for my niece, who is a Petty Officer 2nd class aboard the USS Arleigh Burke somewhere around Europe. She was there that night. She said she had never been more proud to be a sailor than she did that night. It's a very somber experience.
Most people take them to their local VFW, but I prefer to do it myself. Mostly because my grandson usually has a host of his friends there (he's 14) and chances are, this will be the only time the get to witness such an event.
Of course, I always tell these kids, "don't go home and tell your folks we burned the flag at Eli's birthday party. Explain to them what it was exactly. A retirement ceremony."
I have a retirement ceremony every year for my full color flag that I fly at my home 24/7. We usually do it during my grandson's birthday party, which we are doing this weekend. This will be the 4th year of us doing so.
We build a big fire, everybody roasts wieners and marshmallows, then after everyone is finished eating, I take the flag down, my grandson helps me fold it properly as best we can.
We then gather by the fire, I then hold the flag, share with everybody what the flag and America means to me, then I give all who want to, an opportunity to share what the flag and America means to them.
After all who want to share, I say a prayer, then we give the pledge of allegiance and play taps as Old Glory is gingerly and softly placed into the fire.
Two years ago, we did a double ceremony, retiring my US Navy flag that I flown for my niece, who is a Petty Officer 2nd class aboard the USS Arleigh Burke somewhere around Europe. She was there that night. She said she had never been more proud to be a sailor than she did that night. It's a very somber experience.
Most people take them to their local VFW, but I prefer to do it myself. Mostly because my grandson usually has a host of his friends there (he's 14) and chances are, this will be the only time the get to witness such an event.
Of course, I always tell these kids, "don't go home and tell your folks we burned the flag at Eli's birthday party. Explain to them what it was exactly. A retirement ceremony."
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It is what Snattlerake said, "No Quarter Given". You can drop it off at a VFW, they collect flags and then will hold a retirement ceremony when they get a certain number.
The Mason lodge building in Mustang has a flag drop box in the front of it.
There are only two or three manufacturers of TRUE American flags. They are extremely expensive and are the type flown over the White House. These are the flags that law decrees must be retired by protocol.
All other "American" flags are, by Supreme Court ruling, merely facsimiles and not "official" American flags. They are not required to be retired by protocol.
All other "American" flags are, by Supreme Court ruling, merely facsimiles and not "official" American flags. They are not required to be retired by protocol.
There is legality, and there is respect. IMHO if it looks like the US flag, it is a US flag, and should be treated as such.
Just my $0.02
