[EmailPoster]

My family received a flag when my father-in-law passed away...

Originally Posted by m

My family received a flag when my father-in-law passed away as a veteran
over 10 years ago. We flew the flag at our home until it started to wear
from exposure. I would like to keep this flag as a memento rather than
burn it. Would it be appropriate to make a throw pillow for each of my
in-laws with this flag? Etiquette rules say you cannot use it for
wearing apparel, bedding or drapes, but my purpose would be more for
display (and each family member could have a special memento of their
father). I don't want to offend anyone, but I don't want to burn this
special flag. Thanks.

[aaron]

Dear M,
This is a tough question, but I commend you for your thoughtfulness. In regards to your question, the Flag Code (Title 4, Chapter 1) seeks to ensure that the flag shall never be displayed in any fashion except as a flag...this would exclude its use as a throw pillow. Another possible means to preserve this special memento would be to have it properly folded (into a triangle) and displayed as such...special cases can be purchased or made for this purpose.

If you are dead-set on creating the throw pillows, this could be possible provided it is done in the context of destroying the flag. The method for destroying the flag is generally to cut it into its constituent parts (the star field seperate, then each stripe). While the most common method for destruction is burning, it only stipulates that it be done "in a dignified manner." If these parts (stripes and star field) could be used in a dignified manner and displayed as such (not used as functional pillows!), then I feel that this could be considered as acceptable. The preferred method, however, would be to display your flag folded as mentioned above.

Thanks for your question!