A while back I noticed pictures of scouts (male and female) cutting the canton (blue field) from American flags readying them for disposal. I then noticed pictures of stars cut from American flags that were neatly packaged in very small zip-close bags along with a typed note to our country’s veterans that reads:
“I am part of our American flag that has flown over the USA. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds caused me to become tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that You are not forgotten.” (Emphasis theirs)
Let’s see what the US Flag Code has to say about a flag that is “tattered and torn” from the sun and wind. TITLE 4, Chapter 1, Sec. 8(k) states:
“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
You can imagine my surprise that someone would actually think it is just fine to cut up the flag, whether “tattered and torn” or not, and hand out its pieces as a tribute. So, I found the website for Stars for our Troops and sent them a message. When you submit a message to the organization, you must supply all of your contact information.
My message read: Deplorable! http://www.starsforourtroops.org (Your) company cuts up American flags and gives the stars to vets. So, desecration of our National Ensign is OK as long as you give the stars to “deserving” people.
In return, I received a package in the mail.
The package contained a sandwich-sized zip-close bag with 49 of the smaller zip-close bags, that I mentioned earlier, containing stars cut from flags. There was also a typed note with a hand-written message.
The written message said this:
“You have the opportunity to change and thank 49 people because we appreciate them.” Signed by Susan.
Below is my final response to Susan and her organization’s completely misplaced respect for “our troops”.
Dear Susan,
I do have an opportunity, one that is multifaceted due to your organization. My first opportunity is to properly dispose of American flag material, something that is every American’s responsibility, whether they accomplish it their self or have an organization do it for them.
Here is the sequence of events that took place to properly dispose of the 49 stars and the small threads that fell from some of them:
First came the removal of all 49 stars, the tiny threads and the pieces of paper inside each bag. Side note, I recycled the paper.
I did not have access to nor did I have the ability to create a fire and place the stars on it as is usual, so I adapted and took a piece of scrap metal that I had, cleaned it off, placed the stars on it and soaked them in lighter fluid.
I then lit the stars and made sure they burned completely. I gathered the remains in a small shovel, buried them in a small spot in my back yard, sounded Taps through my phone and rendered a hand salute during that time (veterans are now authorized to salute in civilian clothes since a National Defense Act of the mid 2000s).
My next opportunity is to educate you and the rest of America as to why it is so very wrong to cut up “tattered and torn” American flags and give them out as a misplaced form of appreciation. This is not some one-up, tit-for-tat game nor is it an attack, this is my version of reproof for you. It may seem harsh, but out of a difficult situation we can learn and grow. In no way should you continue to cut flags and hand out the pieces as tribute. It does not matter how any veteran “feels” when they receive it, what you are doing is wrong and I’ll even attempt to educate my fellow veterans. The “Tears in veteran’s eyes” thing does not phase me. It’s a caring gesture that the veterans appreciate and a great majority of Americans, it seems, have no understanding of flag desecration, especially when it is done with utter sincerity.
I cannot force you to do anything, nor do I really want to. I would appreciate it if you would just stop doing this of your own volition. Stop desecrating flags and handing out the pieces. Here’s a thought, switch to handing out tiny triangle-folded flags. The flags that are on the small sticks that people buy and wave at Independence Day parades would be perfect, people don’t know what to do with them on July 5th anyway, so why not begin a campaign to have them donated/mailed to you. You could fold them into triangles per the Flag Code and even get local JROTC cadets or scouts to help in this. How much more meaningful this would be, a definite win-win for everyone! Here is a picture of a flag that I received in 2010 from a prospective Eagle Scout. It’s a great idea!
The only time a flag is cut is when it is too big to be disposed of safely. It is then cut into manageable pieces and burned (cotton) or shredded (man-made materials). An alternative to this is burying the whole flag in a box. See also Appropriate Flag Retirement.
Standards matter, not feelings.
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Casket flags that were presented to family members during honors presentation for a deceased veteran can be donated to a veterans cemetery to be flown in honor of deceased veteran. As long as they are still in presented condition and have not been removed from the protective covering. Once the flag is retired it will be properly disposed of in a respectful manner. We have had the cutout stars floating around recently we collect them and dispose of them by burning as well.
Dear sir,
As I have read in the customs and courtesies of the american legion it was stated that the cannton should not be desecrated by cutting stars out of the blue field because it denotes a tearing apart of our union .I have seen and received these articles myself. I called to find out if this was acceptable and was told not. The grommets that remain after the flag's retirement (misnomer burning) i clean and try to polish all residue from them .when a veteran has passed I send a pair of grommets to family or spouse in honor of their loved ones service. Tied in red white and blue ribbon. I need to know if I am off the mark by this because of the bracelets and ones used for cravat holders. Or may they be use in other ways such as a necklace or earrings as i have seen on line? Please advise. Much of what I've read is conflicting in views. Thank you for your assistance and advice
Ms. Piper,
This sounds like a wonderful idea. Since the flag is property retired, the grommets are what remain. The Flag Code says to bury the ashes, the grommets are not ashes.
I would not go do far as to create jewelry, to me that seems gaudy. The ribbon you use is a nice, simple touch.
DM
Sir, thank you for your education imparted. I will continue to send the grommets with ribbon enclosed and the poem I wrote to explain what they meant. I am teaching flag etiquette to our students in our schools and hope to help them understand our symbol of freedom and the care it deserves and the reverence it is to be shown. I hope I may call upon you for further assistance or if there is printed handbook please advise. My flag education started as a Brownie&Girl scout. Then to the Womens Army Corps. Now with the American legion I want to leave some appreciation behind with the children of today.
God Bless you both! My name is Michael Masters and I am a disabled veteran who served my country with pride . I was raised well and taught from birth to respect God , He being the Supreme architect of the universe , my country and its representative , the American flag. As well as All my fellow human beings. I write this because a young child recently presented me with one of these stars. And I had tears in both eyes! And not because it was a lovely gift from a well meaning child! I cried because of the disrespect and what my beloved country has become,! Handing a Veteran a cutoff piece of the American flag has to be the Most disrespectful thing a person could do.! I thought perhaps Susan was just a well meaning person that had just made a serious error of judgment. But no, they claim they are well aware of how the flag should be honored and not only choose to ignore it , do so for a profit, and then have the unmitigated nerve to ask offended veterans to please not discourage other people from donating to her cause! Good luck in finding out where all the donations they receive go! With out hiring an attorney, I sure couldn’t! I was told I wasn’t entitled to that information! B.S. !, how can I not be entitled when I am one of the ones they are using to sell their product! How they don’t see this as spitting squarely in the face of every man and woman that ever served beats me. I will end this as I began it. God bless you Drill Master and Katherine A. Piper. When greed and avarice prevail over knowledge the end has truly come. .
Ma'am,
You were a, WAC! My mother-in-law was a, WAVE. Thank you for your diligence in educating the next generation.
I'm here whenever you have questions.
DM
SIR, I thank you and all service men and women who served our beloved country! I am a retired Firefighter and my dad is a WWII veteran 97 years old in hospice with days left to live and one of those stars were left in his room with a hand knit red and white striped afghan throw and I was HONORED by the gesture which brought me to tears that someone appreciated his service! I was very appreciative of the respect to my Dad! I respectfully think the code should allow a war flown flag that was warn and tattered and of need to be "disposed" of should be able to still bring dignity to those that have served in there last dying breath! I respect the flag and maybe the code should allow this rather than the protesters burning our flag in the streets!
Mr. Tanner,
While I appreciate your thought process here, there already is an allowance in the Flag Code for certain American flags that have flown in unique, historic situations to be preserved.
We don't go around cutting up our nation's flag because it might make someone feel good.
I also appreciate your father's service to our nation and your service to your community.
DM
I am a retired CPO, USN. I currently have possession of the flag that was draped on my uncles casket in 1968. He was killed 12 August 1968 while in Viet Nam. I have read thru all theses comments and your responses to whether or not we should ever cut up our flag.
The flag is still packed away in a box, like it has been for the past 53 years. It is dusty, musty, but not old.
Question: I would like to take parts from it, place those small sections into frames, (with my uncles photo), and give to 7 family members. One being his only remaining brother and 6 nieces and nephews). YOUR Thoughts???
Chief Wilson,
I appreciate your comment here and the fact that you are sincere in sharing your uncle's flag.
I'm against cutting the flag for any reason other than to safely retire it (is its much too large to burn or shred in one piece).
It's unfortunate that so many casket flags end up in thrift stores through donations since family doesn't know what to do with "Uncle Joe's" flag after 50+ years. That makes your idea so thoughtful.
What about uniform items? Why not give his brother the flag and neices and nephews medals, ribbons, or badges?
All the best to you and your family, Chief.
i did NOT read anywhere in the guidelines, that if the flag is big, it can be cut up.
i did read: "The U.S. flag code requires it to be disposed of respectfully, preferably by burning."
I'm suggesting the manner in which the organizations say they handle retired flags, removing the canton, (blue field), cleaning it and then removing the stars, seems quite dignified to me.
even you wrote: "There are other means of destroying nylon flags, including recycling. Please stop cutting up our flag."
i would suggest reusing the stars is a dignified way to "recycle"
Sir,
For safety reasons, the flag should be cut if it is so large that properly retiring it would be a safety hazard. You did read about it. You read it here.
What one deems dignified is not the issue because that is up to individual interpretation. The issue is following standards. Reusing does not equal recycling. To recycle, the object is essentially destroyed and remade into something else. To reuse, the object is repurposed for another use without destruction.
Recycling a flag means to shred it and use the material to make the same item again or something different. Just like plastic bottles are melted down to make a park bench or plastic bags.
Standards are set forth and are to be followed. We retire worn out flags. Retirement equals dignified burning or shredding (recycling). That's it. We don't cut up a flag and hand out pieces just because it makes a few people "feel good".
I think everyone is making a huge assumption that most Americans know flag etiquette.
Our national flag should not be screen printed and worn, should be flying above all other flags and should be lit at night to mention a few rules and I've seen them ignored.
When I was child if the flag touched the floor or if you saw a flag on the ground, you ran over, picked it up and kissed it. I still do it today.
Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve.
When I made a donation to Veterans’ organization in November, I was handed a star by the serviceman that accepted my donation. I was startled as it obviously was cut from an American flag. Is this a new practice?
Apparently, flag desecration is the new form of respect because no one bothers to read guidance. They all "think" they know what they were taught decades ago.
So you can not cut up the flag for face masks for this corona-19?
I don't think that's in the spirit of the Flag code restriction. However, I would not put it past someone to think it's a great way to let everyone know they are super-patriotic as they soil it and eventually throw it away.
I believe you are confusing “preferably” with “MUST”. There are many way to retire the Flag of the United States. Cutting it, burning it, burying it, tearing it are just a few acceptable methods. Once the Blue Field is separated from the stripes….it has ceased being a flag of the USA. When the stars are removed from the blue field…they are just that ….stars. No more symbolism to them than going to a fabric store and buying an embroidered star. The blue field is NOT the flag of the USA.
You can obey flag code AND take out the stars as long as the blue field is removed prior to removing the stars. Your idea of handing out complete flags could easily lead to a flag being accidentally or carelessly thrown away. Now you have a complete Flag of the United States being treated in way that completely violates flag code. It could fall into enemy hands and be used in a way that brings disgrace and disrespect to the USA.
Thank you for your service.
Not confused at all, thank you. However, I've failed to ensure that you understand the whole purpose of the article. Having said that, there are very, very few Americans who do not understand the purpose, thankfully. That purpose is:
>>The flag is to be destroyed in a dignified manner.
You put out some great articles with great advise. I agree with almost all of them. However, there is one area I have to disagree with you on.
I’ve noticed several of your articles referring to our Nation’s Flag as “The American Flag”. Which America? North America, Central America or South America? I was taught as a young child it is referred to as “The Flag of The United States”, “The United States Flag” or simply “The U.S. Flag”. I am 59 years old, Retired US Army and Retired Law Enforcement. I have been a member of the Military Honor Guard (since 1981-1998) as well as my Department’s Honor Guard (1993-Present). My Father was a World War II Veteran (Pearl Harbor Survivor) and was known around town as “The Flag Guy”, as a result of his activities. He visited Schools, Civic Organizations and was a member of both the VFW and American Legion, It was he who taught me that. He passed away in 2008, aged 86.
Thoughts?
Sincerely,
TR
Mr. Rader,
Thank you for your service and your comment.
I'm this case, I'm an American writing about American issues. "American flag" suffices. I'm not aware of a flag that represents North, Central, or South America.
The Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard referred to it as the National Ensign. One could make the case, which nation? But, we know what flag is being referenced.
Appreciate the quick response. Guess we could look at it as word play.I’m sure your readers know which Flag you you are referring to in the articles, and I’m good with that. It’s your website, and I will concede to your use of the term “American Flag” in your articles. After all, I guess the same would apply when we refer to ourselves as “American”, right? lol
Keep up the great articles.
Sincerely,
TR